3-2-1 Preview: 3 things we want to see, 2 key stats, 1 best bet for UCLA vs. MSU
How the Spartans can beat the Bruins fresh off their stunning win against Penn State.
HAPPY HOMECOMING, SPARTAN FRIENDS.
Look, Michigan State need to get off the mat after a tough two-game road swing that resulted in losses to USC and Nebraska. What a delightful opponent to see coming to town for homecoming in UCLA.
While it won't be a total walk-over (just ask Penn State fans), this can be a game MSU uses to get itself right for the second half of the season. How do the Spartans do it? Well, let's get into it in the 3-2-1 preview.
3 THINGS WE WANT TO SEE
Pound Green Pound
Here we go again begging and pleading – with reason – for a solid run performance from MSU. There are obvious reasons we want to see this. Build drives. Set up the play action game. Open up the passing game. Yada yada yada.
However, I’m thinking beyond this game, too. Because if you don’t look good against THIS team, you won’t have reason to feel good about any of the last six games.
Folks…UCLA had a great win last weekend against Penn State. And, let me tell you, it wasn’t because of the Bruins' run defense (despite that great stuff on the game-icing fourth down). Penn State ran the ball at 5.1 yards per carry, and that was actually an improvement for the UCLA defense.
On the season, the Bruins are letting teams run it at 5.3 yards per pop, which is dead last in Power Four football. The Bruins are last in the Big Ten at allowing 10-plus yard runs, seeing it happen 32 times this season.
If you can’t run it against UCLA, you might not win this game…or any game remaining for that matter.
A Jordan Hall Master Class
Earlier this week defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Joe Rossi was high with his praise for Hall, saying he “can be the best linebacker I’ve coached.” He’s going to have to be on Saturday with the assignment of making sure UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava doesn’t run wild like he did against the Nittany Lions last Saturday. Penn State made the curious decision to rarely, if ever, put a quarterback spy on Iamaleava, and I would be shocked if Rossi makes that same error.
