Illinois at Michigan State

Written by Jack Jones

The No. 13 Michigan State Spartans host the Illinois Fighting Illini Saturday as they look to improve to 7-0 on the season. The last time they accomplished that feat they went on to win a national championship back in 1996. The Spartans are 6-0 for the first time since 1999, when Nick Saban was head coach. According to the college football lines, the have set odds of Michigan State -7 over Illinois with a total set of 51 points.

Michigan State (6-0, 2-0) has been playing some very inspired football for head coach Mike Dantonio, who suffered a mild heart attack in their September 19 overtime win over Notre Dame. Dantonio was able to watch from the press box in their 34-17 victory over then-No. 18 Michigan, and hopes to be down on the sidelines when they face Illinois (3-2, 1-1).

The Spartans are showing that they have one of the best offenses in the land, led by QB Kirk Cousins. He leads a Michigan State attack that is averaging 473.2 total yards per game, and his 167.5 passer rating ranks ninth in the nation among quarterbacks. Edwin Baker has rushed for 683 yards this season, good for 10th in the country. Freshman Le’Veon Bell is an electric compliment to Baker, averaging 7.7 yards per carry. The Spartans have ridden this offense to 2-0 start in Big Ten play, also beating the Badgers in their opener 34-24.

The Spartans have a big challenge ahead from an Illini defense that ranks 20th in the nation. Illinois stunned Penn State in a 33-13 road win last Saturday. Their only losses have come to No. 21 Missouri and No. 1 Ohio State, two teams that have yet to lose this year. In the losses, the Illini still managed to hold the Tigers and Buckeyes to their lowest point totals yet.

Illinois must get more solid play from Mikel LeShoure on offense. He had both touchdowns in their 24-14 home loss to Michigan State last season, and he has rushed for at least 100 yards in four of five games this year. For the season, LeShoure has rushed for 597 yards and three touchdowns. He is averaging 119.4 yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry on the ground.

He’ll have his hands full against Greg Jones and this Michigan State defense. The All-American has 46 tackles and has already forced three fumbles, the most of any Big Ten defender. Jones and company held Michigan QB and Heisman Trophy candidate Denard Robinson to less than 100 yards rushing, the first time all season he hasn’t reached the century mark on the ground. Jones and fellow linebacker Eric Gordon have combined for 684 career tackles, the most of any linebacking combo in the FBS.

Michigan State is 10-1 in their last 11 meetings with Illinois. The Illini last won in 2006 in East Lansing on a last-second field goal for a 23-20 victory, so history is certainly working against them here.

BetUS Projected Score: Michigan State 29 – Illinois 22

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