I'll start by saying that this week's test is potentially just as big as last week's game. Now, allow me to back up this claim. After resoundingly defeating the Wolverines in Ann Arbor, Michigan State has jumped to 13th in the Associated Press poll, and 11th in the ESPN/USA TODAY poll.
With this sudden ascent comes even greater exposure, more national attention, and increased pressure from fans, alumni, and students to deliver a victory. As if these added conditions weren't enough, this weekend is Michigan State Homecoming, which provides both a boost in atmosphere and the sense of urgency that accompanies this game.
Throw in the suspension of starting corner Chris L. Rucker for a drunken-driving arrest this past Sunday morning, along with the announcement that untested freshman Darqueze Dennard will take his place, and you have the key elements in a green-and-white pressure cooker.
On the other side of the field, Ron Zook leads the dangerous Illini into East Lansing fresh off of a 33-13 defeat of Penn State. Illinois is potent offensively,as Mark Dantonio notes here. Redshirt freshman QB Nathan Scheelchase makes plays on the ground and through the air, just as Dantonio says, and RB Mikel Leshoure is statistically impressive (2nd in the conference in rushing yards per game). The loss of Rucker will definitely be felt in both run and pass defense of these two threats specifically. On the other hand, if Dennard plays with the speed he's known for (he posted a personal-best of 10.88 seconds in the 100m at the Georgia Olympics, according to milesplit.com), he should be able to account for this loss.
The true test for these Spartans will come in their ability to block out the distractions that accompany controversy, and deliver a win. If these Spartans play with the conviction we've seen from them this season, they should leave the field victorious on Saturday.
--Beau
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