NCAA Football
Arizona State vs Michigan State Preview
Game Time: 10:45 EST / 7:45 PST
Broadcast – ESPN / 98.7 Phoenix
Overview
Week 1 was two completely different tales for each team. As Michigan State held off the Week 1 surprise against Utah State, Arizona State rolled past UTSA in Herm Edwards’ debut. Now the two teams meet in a late night clash in Tempe to make a big statement to the public and to the College Football Playoff Committee.
Michigan State
Last week was a lot closer than expected. The game was tied at 38 with two minutes left before Michigan scored and stopped an Aggies drive with an interception. The team definitely showed strong spots, such as quarterback Brian Lewerke. Lewerke threw 23/33 for 287 yards and 2 TD’s while also running for 31 yards. However the play of the offensive line was woeful at times, something that could become very problematic against Defensive Coordinator Danny Gonzalez’s 3-3-5 defense.
Arizona State
No one knew what to expect out of ASU’s opener against a decent UTSA team led by one of the Group of Five’s best coaches in Frank Wilson. However, the questions started to fade after the Sun Devils took a 14-0 lead two minutes into the game. They would go on to win 49-7. A good showing for Wilkins, Harry, and the defense. However not a clean one and Herm Edwards was not impressed with the win. Especially with the 11 penalties, a strange occurrence from a team that averaged 3.8 penalties last year. The team and Edwards has to fix that and be prepared for one of college football’s most brutal stretches.
Keys to the Game
Michigan State- Establishing the run will be key to opening up the offense against the Arizona State defense.
Arizona State- They have to play a clean game against the Spartans. There is simply no room for them to give free yards away.
Prediction
Right now I see a high scoring game that will come down to the end. However, I think Michigan State pulls it out 31-28. However, Big Ten teams have struggled in Tempe. And crazy things happen in PAC 12 after dark. So Sparty is definitely on Upset Alert.
Photo credit to Penn State Alumni Association via Flickr
