There’s no day like today for the Irish. Win, and they’re one small step closer to digging themselves out of a serious hole. With a loss, well -- Notre Dame is 0-3 and looking for some serious answers.
Even though the Irish are a five point favorite, the Spartans have won 10 of the last 14 and six of the last seven in Notre Dame Stadium. With the 1966 championship team in town trying to wake up some echoes, let’s get one more look at the Spartans from someone that follows them on a day-to-day basis.
Joe Rexrode of the Lansing State Journal was kind enough to answer some find questions before today’s 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on NBC.
Inside the Irish: As someone who actually watched the wins over Youngstown State and Florida Atlantic, what do you make of the Spartans? They’ve made their way to No. 15 in the polls, but is that a product of last year’s record or was the on-field performances that impressive?
Joe Rexrode: The Spartans were quite unimpressive in the first week and then much better in the second week, especially on defense. It came against a bad Florida Atlantic offense, yes, but one first down and 48 yards allowed indicate a focused performance against anyone. MSU started the season at No. 17, I think based on last season’s performance and the return of some top players such as Kirk Cousins, Edwin Baker, Jerel Worthy and B.J. Cunningham.
ITI: Everybody saw the Notre Dame’s collapse in the Big House last weekend. What do the Spartans make of the Irish defense, a group that has played 7 quarters of good football and one really bad one?
JR: Cousins said he considers it the defense he saw in the first three quarters at Michigan. MSU offensive coordinator Dan Roushar, asked about those coverage busts, pointed out that this week the Irish won’t have to account for the running of Denard Robinson, which should help them. I think Michigan State respects the Notre Dame defense. The last half of last season was not a fluke.
ITI: We know the Spartans have some talent at running back, but the numbers haven’t been all that impressive yet. Can they get enough out of their rebuilt offensive line against an Irish defensive front that’s much better than the two the Spartans have seen?
JR: Great question and one of the keys to this game, in my opinion. Michigan State is overflowing with talented backs, starting with Edwin Baker and continuing to Le’Veon Bell (who ran for 114 yards on 17 carries vs. the Irish a year ago). The question is the line. The Spartans are more talented and athletic up there than a year ago, but far less experienced. This matchup will go a long way in determining Saturday’s outcome.
ITI: Did you hear that Notre Dame has 1,000 yards of offense but 10 turnovers? The Spartans had a historic defensive effort last Saturday against cupcake Florida Atlantic, but faces an Irish offense that’s better than the one that put up almost 400 yards in the air last year. MSU lost some important players. What’s the key to slowing ND down?
JR: Yeah, Notre Dame obviously can move the ball but has to clean up the mistakes. MSU defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi said this will be the best passing attack his defense sees all season, and that was true last year as well. One area in which the Spartans are stronger this season is pass rush, watch for sophomore end Will Gholston. But the Irish do a great job of protecting. The key for Michigan State is to get stops in the red zone, Notre Dame will definitely throw for big yards and move the ball between the 20s.
ITI: Mark Dantonio acknowledged the saltiness of this rivalry. Notre Dame clearly isn’t Michigan, but was is it about this match-up that gets the Spartans so fired up?
JR: I’ve always kind of considered this a “friendly” rivalry, and that goes back to the early 20th century when Notre Dame really helped Michigan State build its program and get into the Big Ten. Both teams hate Michigan, so they have that in common. But personally, I just think there’s an iciness between Dantonio and Brian Kelly. Kelly made some disparaging remarks about the program he inherited at Cincinnati (he inherited it from Dantonio) when he got there, and I don’t think that sat well with Dantonio. As far as MSU’s motivation for this game -- hey, doesn’t everyone get up to play Notre Dame?
ITI: Everybody’s noticed that Notre Dame is a pretty significant favorite. Is Vegas off? In a rivalry that’s tilted the Spartans way lately, what does Michigan State have to do to win?
JR: I don’t think it’s wacky to make Notre Dame the favorite in this game. Despite the fact that MSU has won six of the past seven in South Bend, this is a home game, it’s clearly a talented Notre Dame team, and it’s a must-win situation. I would have expected Notre Dame by a point or two. To win, Michigan State must run the ball -- the Spartans don’t need 203 yards like they got last year in this game, but they need 150 or so -- win decisively in the kicking game and get some stops in the red zone against that potent offense.
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You can read more from Joe at the Lansing State Journal, both in his columns and on his blogs. Follow him on Twitter at @LSJGreenWhite.