Sparty comes to the Horseshoe to face OSU this week, and once again there is only one common opponent between the two teams – the Northwestern Wildcats.
The tables list the common opponent(s) in chronological order down the first column, and include the following ‘important’ stats: total points (Pts), total yards (Yds), total first downs (Dwns), and turnovers (TOs); for each team and its opponent (Opp).
Table 1: Michigan State
| Pts | Pts (opp) | Yds | Yds (opp) | Frst Dwns | Dwns (opp) | TOs | TOs (opp) | |
| Northwestern | 41 | 48 | 481 | 611 | 20 | 29 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 41 | 48 | 481 | 611 | 20 | 29 | 0 | 0 |
| Average | 41 | 48 | 481 | 611 | 20 | 29 | 0 | 0 |
Table 2: Ohio State
| Pts | Pts (opp) | Yds | Yds (opp) | Frst Dwns | Dwns (opp) | TOs | TOs (opp) | |
| Northwestern | 58 | 7 | 396 | 120 | 20 | 11 | 2 | 3 |
| TOTAL | 58 | 7 | 396 | 120 | 20 | 11 | 2 | 3 |
| Average | 58 | 7 | 396 | 120 | 20 | 11 | 2 | 3 |
Notes:
This is where I wish the two teams had more opponents. The Total and Average fields would give a better picture of how these two teams match up. This NW game is ruining MSU’s statistics this season.
For example, consider that “611 yards” stat. Yes, MSU’s defense totally disappeared from that game, but it appears to have been an aberration. For its other 6 opponents, the Spartans allowed only 286 yards per game, which would be good enough for top 3 in the Big Ten (and close to OSU and Penn State’s average).
Note that “0” in the Turnover column… the Spartans are tied for second in the Big Ten in turnover margin (0.71).
What say you? Does this game have the potential to be 1998 all over again?
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