EAST LANSING- Michigan State Football travels to the East Coast for a tough non-conference game against the Boston College Eagles on Saturday night.
This will be an emotional game for the Eagles as it is the Red Bandanna Game honoring Welles Crowther, a man who lost his life on 9/11 rescuing others from the towers.
The Eagles are coming off a tough loss to the No. 7 Missouri Tigers. The Eagles’ offense came out hot on the road with a two-score lead in the first half. The Tigers showed why they are a top-ten team in the second half coming away with the victory.
Despite the loss, the Eagles held their head high after nearly pulling off the upset against an SEC opponent.
Control the run game
Missouri gashed the Eagles on the run last week, rushing for 176 yards on 43 carries. On the other hand, the Eagles were stifled, rushing for only 1.9 yards per carry.
The Spartans don’t have the same personnel as an SEC team, but the trenches seem like a spot where the Spartans can take advantage.
Through three games the dynamic backfield of redshirt junior Nathan Carter and sixth-year Kay’ron Lynch-Adams have rushed for over 400 yards combined and two touchdowns.
Spartans head coach Jonathan Smith has said that they expect to split the reps 50/50 between the two backs.
Take care of the football
Spartans’ quarterback Aidan Chiles has had some turnover issues in the first few games of the season. The raw talent is evident for Chiles, however, the situational awareness isn’t always there for the 19-year-old. He currently has the second most interceptions in the Big Ten but is also sixth in passing yards.
In a road game against a team like Boston College, the offense must take care of the ball. The Eagles haven’t forced many turnovers but they also haven’t committed many turnovers, so it is vital for Chiles and the rest of the offense to take care of the ball.
The Eagles were able to shut down Smith’s former Oregon State starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei in their season opener against Florida State, let’s see how Chiles will do after backing up Uiagalelei last season.
Play disciplined defense
One of the biggest improvements under Smith’s regime is the defense led by coordinator Joe Rossi. Rossi preached having a more aggressive mindset throughout the offseason. However, with their aggressive mindset has come too many penalties.
Through three games the team has committed 11 penalties per game with a majority coming on the defensive side. This leaves the Spartans 128th nationally in total penalties committed and 134th in penalty yards.
The Spartans won’t be able to give an inch to this Eagles team who will match their aggressiveness. Through three games the Eagles haven’t even attempted a field goal, expect head coach Bill O’Brien to go for it on fourth and short scenarios. Meaning every yard will matter when the Eagles enter the Spartans’ end of the field.
The Spartans will play on Saturday in Chestnut Hill, MA, with a chance to get ranked with a win over the Boston College Eagles. Jacob Mauer and Derrick Mitchell will have the call on WDBM Impact 89 FM starting at 8 p.m.
