Week 2 Preview: Central Michigan at Michigan State

East Lansing Michigan-The Michigan State Spartans enter week two at home against “in state rival” Central Michigan, Saturday September 12, 2009 at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans are coming off an easy win against Montana State last week at home winning 44-3. Central couldn’t pull out a win in Arizona, losing to the Wildcats 6-19.

Central Michigan will have to prepare for both Spartan quarterbacks. Kirk Cousins can beat you with his arm and is very confident in the pocket. Keith Nichol is a dual threat. He can not only beat you with his arm, but he can also beat you with his legs. Nichol can hurt a defense rolling out of the pocket. This quarterback combo will only last until one of the two starts to get out of rhythm or lack consistency but for now they will force defensive coaches to pay attention to detail.

Central Michigan has a quarterback that is very good and is also a dual threat. Central quarterback Dan LeFevor is one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. The Spartans defense will have to show LeFevor different looks to keep him honest. Dan LeFevor has a lot of experience and has seen multiple defensive looks. Talking about paying attention to detail, the Spartan defense will need to keep their heads up and tackle well. They will need to pressure Central’s offense. What type of pressure are defensive end Trevor Anderson and the rest of the front line going to apply on Central Michigan’s offense line? Michigan State’s secondary will have to pressure the coverage or LeFevor will beat them in the air. “All I can tell you is he’s a very good quarterback with experience, mobility, and toughness” Coach Dantonio stated.

The Spartans will need to run the ball more effectively early in the game. Running backs Caulton Ray, Larry Caper, and Edwin Baker will split time in the back field. If the Spartans get their ground game going early, that will open up the down field threat for Cousins and Nichol. The Central Michigan secondary will have to figure out how to stop senior wide receiver Blair White. White built a lot of confidence in his quarterbacks after making nine catches for 162-yards and two touchdowns last week against the Bobcats.

Michigan State’s special teams will need to keep an eye on Central’s punt returner Antonio Brown who led the nation last year in punt returns. Brown is also their second all time leading receiver with 195-catches and over 2000-yards.

The Spartans will have their hands full with both Central Michigan receivers Antonio Brown and Bryan Anderson. CMU’s all time leading receiver Anderson will have a big game against the Spartan Defense.

This “in state rival” game will be won by the team that makes the least mistakes. “This will be an emotional for a lot of guys at Central and certainly for a lot of guys at our place as well” Head Coach Mark Dantonio stated.

Central Michigan (0-1) at Michigan State (1-0)

When: Saturday September 12 th 2009 12:00 p.m. EST.

Where: East Lansing Michigan, Spartan Stadium

TV: ESPN2

Radio: Spartan Radio Network

Prediction: Central Michigan 13 Michigan State 24

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