GAME PREVIEW: ILLINOIS AT MICHIGAN STATE

There are a couple of unbeaten teams playing in early games this coming Saturday (10/16). Most notably the 6-0 Michigan State Spartans host The Fighting Illini. MSU, led by Coach Dantonio, has been playing some inspired ball this year. Illinois is coming off a a close game with Ohio State which they ended up losing and a big time win in Happy Valley over Penn State.

Let's take a closer look.

Illinois (3-2) @ Michigan State (6-0)
Noon - Big Ten Network

Michigan State is undefeated. They have taken down Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Michigan. This team has some big wins under their belt, but are they due for an emotional let down? QB Kirk Cousins has been playing lights out this year. He's completing almost 70% of his passes, and he's been putting up the yards: 1416 with 10 TDs so far in 2010.


Cousins has been getting some great support from the O Line, and his young running back duo: Edwin Baker and Le'Veon Bell. Combined the pair has put up 1232 yards and 14 TDs. They will continue to put up great yards on Saturday, as the Illinois defense is improved from last year, but still not all the way there. This Michigan State team has seen their share of excitement both good and bad, as they beat Notre Dame in a thriller back in Week 3 on a fake field goal. The play called, "Little Giants" is definitely in the running for Play of the Year, but later that night, Coach Dantonio had a mild heart attack. He's been easing back, but that is some serious stuff, and The Spartans have answered the call by ralling around their coach. They are playing inspired football this year.

Illinois lost to Missouri in the season opener. They did not have enough to beat Missouri, who is currently undefeated at 5-0. Illinois' plan of attack will center around their Junior, Mikel Leshoure. He's been having a good year. He came up big against Penn State, where he rushed for 116 yards on 27 carries, and he caught a big time play that ended up going for 32 yards. He was instrumental in Illinois' first win in Happy Valley. Illinois' receivers will have to continue to play hard. Jenkins and Fayson will have to be ready for one of the tougher more inspired defenses they have seen all year. But let's be honest, no one is scared of Illinois' passing attack which currently ranks 114th in the country. It's all about the ground game which ranks 19th nationally. Be sure keep an eye on Michigan State's star linebacker, Greg Jones (#53). He's the real deal. As for Illinois, they have a star in cornerback Terry Hawthorne (#12).

Coach Ron Zook has been teetering on the hot seat, but he has a way of quieting the masses. I like Michigan State at home on this one. MSU will move to 7-0 and Illinois moves to 3-3. Look for the Spartans to win by 10.



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