Based on the current NCAA rankings MSU is the best run team we have played.
MSU by the numbers NCAA rank of 119:
Total Offense:
15th-467 ypg
Rushing:
9th-243 ypg
Passing:
63rd-224 ypg
Scoring:
18th-37 ppg
Total Defense: 36th 333 ypg
Rushing: 24th-101 ypg
Passing: 68th-231 ypg
Scoring: 54th-25 ppg
Others of note:
Pass efficiency D: 84th-132.67
Pass efficiency: 20th-143.53
They aren't good at returning punts but are very good at returning Kick Offs
They 2nd in sacks and 83rd in sacks allowed
They are slightly better than we are in TO margin
People are busting our balls for the teams we've played? Try this on for size knowing how bad Wisky really is:
UAB
BGSU
Pitt
@ ND
@ Wisky -L
Northwestern-L
Indiana
Their scoring D average is a little skewed from 48 points on OT vs Northwestern but Wisky put 37 on them in regulation and IU 27. Hell they gave up 14 points to ND. DBB needs to let us know how they fare in differentials.
The big question mark is obviously how we handle the run but that matchup isn't played in a vacum. They have to go on the road, play defense, protect their QB and play special teams against the best team they have faced to date by far.
I'm very curious to see how the run D works out but unless we fail that test much more spectacularly than I think we are capable of and or have TO problems, we should be fine.