Is Notre Dame on the rise? This week's match-up of two good but not great NDL programs will go a long way in telling the directions of both teams.
THE HISTORY
Total Meetings: 19
Series Record: Notre Dame 10-9
Longest Streak: Notre Dame S4-S9
Active Streak: Michigan State S17-TBD
Last Meeting: Michigan State 34, Notre Dame 3 in Season 19
Notre Dame had control of this series early, despite Michigan State winning the first three times the two schools met up on the NDL gridiron. The Irish dominated Michigan State from season four to season nine winning every game with just the last victory in season nine NOT being in dominating fashion.
The Spartans won to get back in the win column in season ten but Notre Dame still won four of the next seven to hold a 10-6 advantage over MSU.
Things have changed since, the Irish have struggled to 8-28 record over the past three seasons and now Coach Weasel and Michigan State are dominating the Irish. The Spartans have won the past three seasons with a combined 85-22 score and now look to even the series in season 20.
THE MATCHUP
OFFENSE - Notre Dame is under a new head coach in WJ5811 and he looks to turn around the recent woes in South Bend. WJ brings a spread offense to the Irish and with big weapons all over the offense it could prove very difficult to stop if run correctly.
QB Dayne Crist threw for 285 yards and three scores in week one, spreading the ball around to everyone on 15 completions. Five catches by slot WR Deion Walker, three catches by tight ends, and four catches by backs out of backfield prove you can not key on any one guy.
Though, in order to really give the defense fits the running game must be a vital part of the offensive attack as well. In their 28-23 victory over Michigan they ran the ball extremely poorly. Starting HB Armando Allen touched the ball just four times and gained just two yards.
Expect Allen to get a few more touches to keep the defense from focusing on just the passing game against Michigan State.
Michigan State, on the other hand, brings to the game a more balanced offensive attack. Five different players combined for 27 rushing carries in Michigan State's big win over Brigham Young in week one. That type of focus on the running game opens up big plays in the passing game and played a role in WR Mark Dell gaining 107 yards on four catches and WR Keshawn Martin gaining 98 yards a touchdown on five catches.
Michigan State's balanced offense makes it just as dangerous as a passing attack loaded with future NFL'ers.
DEFENSE - The linebackers of both teams will play an important role in determining the winner in this game.
Last week Manti Te'o and the Irish defense gave up over 100 yards rushing to Michigan backs Vincent Smith and Michael Shaw. Now they face backs that did not put up astonishing numbers in their first game but two backs that are just as good in Larry Caper and the touchdown maker Edwin Baker.
If Notre Dame's front seven can completely take away the run they will force QB Kirk Cousins into costly mistakes. Against BYU Cousins threw two interceptions, against Notre Dame those two interceptions will be turned into points and a loss for the Spartans.
Michigan State's linebackers, led by Greg Jones have their hands full. The linebackers must worry about all-world TE Kyle Rudoplh who may just barely edge out WR Michael Floyd as the most dangerous receiver Notre Dame has, as well as worry about the backs in the passing game.
Turnovers may be the only way Notre Dame gets slowed in this one and the key to creating turnovers is pressure.
DE William Gholston will need to have a big game and be in QB Dayne Crist's face all afternoon and although just a true freshman he is completely capable of doing just that. Gholston will fight senior LT Matt Romine every snap and expect Gholston's speed to give Romine problems. QB Dayne Crist will not have a clean jersey at games end.
PREDICTION
I expect Notre Dame to key on the Spartans running game, and I expect that to allow some big plays for Michigan State in the passing game but MSU must continue to run and not give up if things get tight. If they become one dimensional the Irish will run away with the ball game and end Michigan State's three game win streak in the series.
The key, in my opinion, is Armando Allen. If Michigan State can rush four and drop seven I expect Crist to throw at least one interception but if Allen gets more touches and you see Michigan State's linebackers playing closer to the line of scrimmage expect Crist to throw for bigger numbers than he did against Michigan.
With home field advantage on their side I expect Notre Dame to introduce a second element to their spread offense and defeat Michigan State in South Bend.
Michigan State 20
Notre Dame 28
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