Michigan State vs. Western Michigan Scouting Report and Prediction

 A look at this week’s opponent… The Broncos come in as one of the favorites to win the MAC in 2010. They are led by the best NON BCS coach in the

 

Bill Cubit is a GREAT coach at WMU, but his Broncos will have a rough day on Saturday

A look at this week’s opponent…

The Broncos come in as one of the favorites to win the MAC in 2010. They are led by the best NON BCS coach in the nation and are tough. They never quit. Last year youthful mistakes doomed them even with an NFL QB. They are a beatable, but tough opponent. 

When MSU has the ball…

The Spartans need to attack the young CBs of the Broncos. They are talented, but that youth will cause them to make mistakes. The Spartans will come out wanting to reestablish their identity as a running team.

One thing the fans need to be aware of is deception. Let me explain. The Spartans know that every opponent they face early (read Notre Dame) will watch this film close. FAU is not as good as MSU. MSU will want teams to see their commitment to the run game so they have to game plan for it in great detail. That will open up passing lanes even more down the road.

MSU will come out and run down the Broncos and when they have to put more men in the box to stop the run, they will attack those CBs even more. MSU will have a great day and remember there is a lot they will show and not show knowing that Notre Dame awaits and will be watching everything.

When MSU is on defense…

The Broncos will attack the Spartans DB. They have a very good OL, but can a new QB hold up and attack. To beat MSU they have to force the Spartans to blitz so they can get their receivers in one-on-one situations. Can a young QB deliver then?

For the Spartans I want to see them blitz when they want to and not when they NEED to. I want to see pressure from the front and men dropping back in coverage for some extra protection.

WMU is a good team, but do they have the “Horses” to stick with MSU? 

 

Intangibles…

 Remember the rule of five. If MSU wins that, this game is over. For those who don’t remember it, it has to do with sacks and turnovers. If the Spartans have three sacks and gives up two that means they are plus one. If they then get four turnovers and give up only one that means they are plus three. That would give them a plus four for the day. They want to get to a plus five ratio at least every game. I don’t think it is as critical as other games (read Notre Dame) but still it is important to watch.

 

The Broncos are a well-coached team. They are a talented team. If MSU makes some early mistakes and lets them be in the game at the start of the fourth quarter it could get dicey. This is not FAU. The Broncos have the talent to upset MSU. I don’t see it happening, but that doesn’t change the fact that it could. MSU needs to play their game and all will be well. If the Broncos are in it in the fourth, then they haven’t played their game.

Prediction…

MSU will run over, around, and through the Broncos. They are not as good as they were last year with the loss of NFL QB Hiller, but the Spartans are much better. MSU needs not worry about WMU; they need to just worry about themselves.

I thought MSU would score more (field goals) trying to get the kickers some reps, but with a windy day in the forecast I don’t see them getting that many kicks. I hope I am wrong and they get a lot of game reps. I would love to see Andrew Maxwell play the entire fourth quarter. If MSU plays their game they will be fine. Make dumb mistakes, let WMU in the game in the 4th quarter and this is a game they could lose.

 

Make it MSU 38-10.