Scouting Report and Prediction: MIchigan State Spartans vs. Florida Atlantic Owls
Scouting Report and Prediction: MSU vs. Florida Atlantic Owls
A look at this week’s opponent…
The Owls come into this game having just had their rear ends handed to them by the Florida Gators. They have a legendary sure fire Hall of Fame coach who is on his swan song and a team of talented young men. The Spartans have yet to blow them out in the previous meetings.
When MSU has the ball…
The Spartans need to get some semblance of normalcy in their offensive line. FAU wants the Spartans to throw the ball. This year they have switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 scheme. They will move seven and eight into the box because they want MSU to go to the air. Last week, the Spartans had an anemic, and frankly for a Mark Dantonio team, embarrassing running attack.
Look for the Spartans to try to reinvigorate their offensive line by going right at the Owls, with some brute force Big Ten smash mouth football. I want to see 250 yards of rushing from MSU.
I don’t think the Owls will be happy with their desire to force MSU to the air. I want to see Kirk Cousins not lock on, and spread the ball around.
When MSU is on defense…
The Owls have a pro style set. Unlike the YSU who saw the MSU front seven as the strength they are and just got rid of the ball almost instantaneously, they will use a style similar to MSU.
The Spartans are used to this offense since they essentially run it. They will be ready. I want to see MSU pressure without blitzing and they should be able to get it. Look for the Spartans to come out on fire and angry.
Intangibles…
The Spartans have yet to blow out the Owls in this series for many reasons, but they haven’t. Unlike Brian Kelly who in my mind took the childish, ignorant, and frankly disloyal approach of berating and demeaning his players, Mark Dantonio took another route. He wasn’t happy. You could tell, but his coaching and teaching took place away from the cameras.
The Spartans may not always like his toughness, but there isn’t one player that doesn’t respect their coach and how he handles his program. This team has been chewed on, rode, and worked this week. They are in a different state of mind and this is the first time in this series that I can say this isn’t about FAU, this is about MSU, and FAU will play the victim. The Spartans want to run over, manhandle, and have this game squarely in control from the opening kickoff. The Spartan D desperately wants the shutout.
Prediction…Â
Unfortunately for FAU, the Spartans will be on fire and ready to go. This game will never be in doubt and you will see mistakes from some young players, but the Spartans will play better and more disciplined.
Look for the running game to be established and abuse the Owls. The Spartans passing game will benefit from it and MSU will roll. Make it 38-3.
Add us as a preferred source on Google