Michigan State at Notre Dame: lines and the pick
What’s been Notre Dame’s most glaring weakness? Pass protection – the Fighting Irish Matadors on the o-line have allowed 23 sacks and may be charged with manslaughter if Jimmy Clausen gets killed today, which is a real possibility because…Michigan State’s glaring strength has been the pass rush.
The Spartans have 17 sacks in their three games, which is the most in the nation. Senior Jonal Saint-Dic has been a surprising terror from his end spot in MSU’s 3-4 with five sacks and four forced fumbles. Over/under Saint-Dic sacks today – 3.5. Over/under for Saint Dick jokes from the good Catholics in the stands – 13,498.5.
This matchup is where the schadenfreude could really come into play. Is there anything more pathetic looking than a tackle hopelessly trying to block an end who can smell blood? I have this image of Reggie White tormenting Max Lane all day in the 1996 Super Bowl (I don’t remember the Roman numerals, it was the Packers/Pats) that will forever be burned into my psyche. I can hear Reggie now, “Max Lanes are naturally gifted as turnstiles.” Saint-Dic may haunt ND’s dreams forever after today, not to mention Clausen. Because part of the reason seeing a pass rusher have his way with blundering lineman is so delightfully masochistic is because you know what’s waiting on the other end – said pass rusher obliterating the already rattled quarterback. This is the base-level of schadenfreude and perhaps the real reason we all love football – seeing other people endure physical pain. (God, I feel like a monster, please forgive me).
But don’t run and hide yet Irish faithful. There’s hope. A little. The MSU defensive backs are seriously banged up with three of their four regulars questionable. If Clausen can get any time, he may be able to complete some passes. Weis can scheme some nice three-step drop timing routes, ND receivers Robby Parris and Duval Kamara are talented and tight end John Carlson is a perfect quick-drop target.
Injuries may also help the ND defense. The MSU o-line is banged up while the Irish get end Derrell Hand back from a three-game suspension. He tried to hire a hooker – insert next Catholic joke here - but whatever. ND needs all the help it can get here, since its given up 237.3 rushing yards per game so far this season and last year MSU tailback Jehuu Caulcrick gashed the Irish for 111 yards. ND has more talent in the defensive backfield – Tom Zbikowski, Darrin Walls and Raeshon McNeil – and the MSU passing game has been inconsistent the last couple of weeks.
The other thing ND has going for it is emotion. I mean, they have to come out feeling angry and embarassed and looking to take it out on somebody, right? Don’t they? I say yes. And I also say if they can have some early success, well, all those angry fans might actually start rooting for them, and then, well…they might make it close.
Michigan State 24, Notre Dame 16
Vegasinsider.com, my go-to site for odds now since it gives you BAM the lines from eight different sports books and makes you feel all fly as a vegas insider, has all the college football lines right here. Remarkably steady over/under at 43 with the line being Michigan State giving 10.5 or 11.
BONUS – Interesting debate between two MSU guys on whether or not Weis should keep his job.
