SCOUTING REPORT: NO. 13 MICHIGAN STATE AT ASU
Arizona State opened with a bigger than-expected 49-7 victory over Texas-San Antonio, somewhat raising expectations for what Herm Edwards might accomplish in his first season as coach.
The Sun Devils are looking to go 2-0 for the first time since 2016 but accomplishing that will require a fourth straight regular season win over a nationally ranked non-conference opponent. They pulled that off vs. No. 8 Notre Dame in 2014, No. 20 Wisconsin in 2013 and No. 21 Missouri in 2011.
No. 13 Michigan State is 1-0 after a 38-31 opening home win over Utah State and coming off a 10-3 season in 2017 that included a 42-17 Holiday Bowl win over Washington State.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. TV: ESPN. Radio: KTAR 620 AM.
3 things to watch?
1. Is the ASU defense ready to take on a much better opponent?
UTSA’s returning strength was on defense not offense, and the Roadrunners were debuting a junior college transfer at quarterback. Michigan State is an entirely different challenge, starting with junior QB Brian Lewerke of Phoenix, in his second season as a starter and rated as a preseason national top-10 QB by Sporting News.
ASU defensive coordinator politely complained about the media writing “too many nice things” about the defense off one game.”All of a sudden they walk around and think they’re this wonderful bunch. When you get complacent, it’s real easy to think you’re a lot better than you are.”
2. How much more will ASU show in both sides of the ball?
Edwards said ASU was “vanilla to say the least on offense” against UTSA and that Gonzales has a lot in his toolbox to pull out on defense this week. QB Manny Wilkins said the offense went into the opener with 10 pass concepts in the game plan -- “We thought 10 was not even a lot” -- and only ran two or three because the run game was so effective and there was no need to show any more than necessary. Nine Sun Devils caught passes last week but only N’Keal Harry caught more than two. Expect Kyle Williams and Brandon Aiyuk to be more involved.
3. What can be made out of the Spartans’ close call vs. Utah State?
Utah State is better than you think, playing in a lower bowl game in five of the last six years and with recent wins over BYU and Boise State. That being said for the Spartans to lose a 27-14 lead, trail with five minutes remaining and allow 319 yards passing is disconcerting given ASU’s offensive potential. “They’re snapping every 12 seconds sometimes and that’s as fast as anybody that you’re going to see,” Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said, perhaps a tip-off to expect high tempo from the Sun Devils.
About Michigan State
The Spartans have had six double digit-winning seasons since 2010, finishing No. 3 nationally in 2013 and No. 5 in 2014 and, after playing in the College Football Playoff semifinals, No. 6 in 2015.
Dantonio is 101-45 in his 12th season and closing in on Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty (109) for most wins in school history. The Big Ten media picked Michigan State to finish second behind Ohio State in the East division, ahead of Penn State and Michigan.
Star power
Manny Wilkins. A game of this magnitude is not too big for Wilkins, a thirdyear starter with enough composure not to wilt when his one-game streak of not being sacked comes to an end as it almost inevitably will this week.
Felton Davis. Michigan State’s version of N’Keal Harry, the 6-4 senior wide receiver has 1,045 career yards and 11 touchdowns.
Bottom line
ASU is going to move the ball and put up points, but Herm Edwards stresses the need for more sustained drives, total plays and time of possession than against UTSA. As we saw last year, the Sun Devil defense played best when the offense ate up clock time. Michigan State’s rushing attack and defense “travels well in any stadium,” Herm Edwards said. It’s so tempting to pick an upset thinking back to Washington in last year’s Black Out game, but I’m not quite convinced yet about the defense.
Prediction
Michigan State 35, ASU 27