Bill Cubit vs. Pat Narduzzi
Saturday’s game may come down to this matchup of coordinators. Offensive coordinator Bill Cubit is going to make the calls for an Illini team that ranks 48th in the country in total offense and 36th in the nation in points per game at 35.3. Narduzzi, in his seventh year as the defensive coordinator of Michigan State, heads a Spartans squad that ranks first in the FBS in total defense, allowing 228 yards per game. Cubit may have to reach in his bag of tricks for the Illini to score on the stifling Michigan State defense, which shut out Purdue in its last game.
Nathan Scheelhaase vs. Darqueze Dennard
Scheelhaase is in the midst of a career season, as he ranks 31st in the FBS in passing yards per game (267.7) and is tied for 35th in passing touchdowns (12). Scheelhaase also ranks 14th in the country and second in the Big Ten in passing efficiency at 158.0. Scheelhaase will have to throw toward the best cornerback he’s faced yet in MSU’s Darqueze Dennard. Dennard, a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches last season, has eight career interceptions and leads a defense that ranks first in the country in opponent’s passing efficiency at 88.41. Scheelhaase has yet to throw a touchdown against a Big Ten opponent this season, and it doesn’t get any easier with Dennard in the secondary.
Jeremy Langford vs. Illinois defense
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Langord has thrived this season once finally getting the chance to show what he can do. The junior running back, who played primarily on special teams during his first two seasons in East Lansing, has rushed for 551 yards this season to go along with eight total touchdowns. Langford rushed for 109 yards and three touchdowns against Indiana and followed it up with 131 rushing yards against Purdue last week. Illinois’ defense has struggled against the run this season, ranking 106th in the FBS in rushing yards allowed per game at 211. Last time out Wisconsin ran all over Illinois, rushing for 289 yards and six scores. Jonathan Brown and company will have to bottle up Langord for Illinois to have a chance in this one.
Michael can be reached at [email protected].
