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The MSU vs. Northwestern spread was coming in at Spartans at -9.5 after opening at -6.5. 75% of the spread action was now on the Wildcats.
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TV: Noon ET, ABC. LINE: Michigan State -9.5
ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten): The frustration around the Michigan State program had to do with more than just the officiating in the loss to Arizona State after the Spartans nearly doubled up the Sun Devils in total offense, 404-216. Ten penalties and three missed field-goal attempts hurt the Spartans, but so did execution in critical points of the game. Quarterback Brian Lewerke was solid, passing for 291 yards, but the senior co-captain has to step up his leadership to get the MSU offense in sync at the most crucial times going forward.
ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (1-1, 0-0): The Wildcats are going to be in a quandry this week, with the running game coming off a season-high 276 yards on the ground against UNLV but facing a staunch MSU run defense. Redshirt freshman running back Drake Anderson had a career-high 141 yards and sophomore Jesse Brown a career-best 79 last week, but the Spartans have yet to allow more than 100 yards rushing this season. The key for Northwestern will be the play of Johnson, who must establish the passing game to try to set up the ground attack, especially after Wildcats have averaged 340 passing yards in their last three meetings with MSU.
- Ean Lamb, Gambling911.com
