WKU Football: Staff Predictions Week Five — Michigan State
The last non-conference game of the season is already here and it’s a doozy. Playing a nationally ranked team on their homecoming night is definitely going to be a challenge. But do you believe in the Tops? Can the pull off a miraculous upset? Let’s see what our writers think!
Matt McCay (2–1)
I’m torn again. I’ve studied this game, and I’ve tried to find out about some of the weird anomalies in Michigan State’s stat line. Michigan State, for example, runs the ball extremely well and somehow gets dominated in Time of Possession. They give up nearly 400 yards but the defense hasn’t allowed more than 21 points all season. Michigan State got outgained by nearly 200 yards against Nebraska to the tune of not even coming close to 300 yards (254) and finding a way to win 23-20 in overtime.
But I see two huge problems for the Tops: MSU’s defensive line is ridiculous, getting four sacks per game against good competition, and MSU’s running game is explosive, averaging six yards a run. I think for WKU to win, they need to win both of those two battles. Why? Imagine a defensive line that blows up a drive when the opposing defense rarely stops opposing offenses. The Michigan State running game simply cannot run all over WKU, either. WKU already struggles with Time of Possession, but a dominant running game would cripple WKU as long as the offense can score some points. So I say WKU will not overcome both of those issues and will fall. I’ve got Michigan State: 41, Western Kentucky: 27.
Alex Sherfield (1–2)
After last weekend’s near upset of Indiana, it’s only right to say that this season’s team has A LOT of heart. However, another tough test looms upon us against a polished and talented MSU ball club on the road.
Stopping Kenneth Walker III should be top on the list of objectives. Without a doubt, he’s one of the best running backs in the country. While we could’ve done better last week in rushing defense, that all falls on how we match with their tempo. Plugging the middle and making sure the outside gaps are closed will help out a lot.
Zappe and Company should be able to keep their status as one of the best offenses in America on Saturday. The Spartans defense averaging 396 yards allowed shouldn’t be too much of a scare considering the productive unit we have.
As long as we play disciplined and make better conversion decisions, this will be a decent game. I have a lot of faith in this team, especially after the showings of almost defeating Army & Indiana. Let’s spoil the homecoming party in East Lansing.
Give me WKU: 31, Michigan State: 30.
Jacob Gary (1–2)
The most important stat in sports when is being due. And WKU has never beaten a Big 10 opponent. Sparty has looked a little weak against the pass, hopefully the hilltoppers can exploit the defense in this matchup and walk away with a win. They are due for a Big Ten win, and I believe. There is a lot of hype around this being a potential upset, now the Hilltoppers just have to live up to it.
Give me Western Kentucky: 27, Michigan State: 23.
And as always #GoTops
Devin Stewart (1–2)
Short and sweet this week.
Michigan State is no paper tiger like IU. So WKU has a real challenge this week.
MSU: 42, WKU: 21
Sam Gormley (3–0)
The term “trap game” always puzzles me. Are there really college football teams that would truly “overlook” an opponent? Maybe so, but I think it is hard to see in a scenario like this.
Similar to a few weeks ago against Army, I wrote something along the lines of that with all of the hoopla surrounding the game, it was going to be hard for WKU to pull out a win. Tonight, we enter while a different scenario, but it is still another one that has lots surrounding the game.
Michigan State is celebrating homecoming when they had a limited crowd for it last year, and the game is at night. That combination is lethal for any opponent in what will be a hostile environment.
As far as the matchups go, nothing from WKU’s defense has led me to have the confidence that they will be able to consistently stop Michigan State. The question that follows is can the Tops simply score enough to offset that? Call me a pessimist, but I just don’t see it happening. Give me Sparty by a 38-27 tally.
Jared Rosdeutscher (3–0)
Once again, the Tops really should’ve won last week. Change that offsides on the missed IU field goal or go for that 4th and one and score and the game has a potentially different outcome.
This team is so close (they’ve lost two games by a combined five points) but sadly I don’t see them getting a win this week. Michigan State has surprised a lot of people with how fast they’ve turned around and are now #17 in the country.
Kenneth Walker III is a really good running back plus the Tops run defense being not great so far is a recipe for disaster for the Hilltoppers. I think the Tops compete but the Spartans defend their home field on homecoming beating the Tops 45–31.
