3-2-1 Preview: 3 things we want to see, 2 key stats, 1 best bet for MSU vs. USC
Where can Michigan State find an edge versus USC as nearly a three-touchdown underdogs?
We've got a big one Saturday night. Or Sunday morning. Whatever you want to call it.
It's 3-0 vs. 3-0, but this Michigan State team is hitting the road as 18.5-point underdogs at No. 25, USC. MSU is looking for its first statement win under head coach Jonathan Smith.
Can it be done? Let's talk about it in this week's 3-2-1 preview.
3 THINGS WE WANT TO SEE
The MSU run defense holding up its end of the bargain
To be frank, I’m done even asking for a pass rush from the Spartans at this point. It looks no different than last year – heck, it might even be worse.
So, instead, I will ask this Michigan State defense to continue to do something they’ve been really solid at this year in stopping the run. I understand it's against poor competition, but the Spartans lead the conference in opponent 10-plus yard run plays with just three allowed. The defense has done a good job of containing, and that will be paramount against a USC team that has had success running the ball. Additionally, MSU currently ranks ninth in the nation in rushing yards per game allowed (64.3).
The Trojans are running the ball at 6.9 yards a carry and have a whopping 23 runs that have gone at least 10 yards. They’ve also played against the equivalent of high school-level competition to this point, in my opinion, so we are going to see who is really real on Saturday night.
