Nebraska vs Michigan State: FOR A SHOT AT A BIG TEN TITLE!

Michigan State football. There are no secrets here. Mark Dantonio doesn't work that way, which is why Jim Bollman is with him.

The Michigan State media guide refers to the Spartan offense as "multiple" and by that they mean that sometimes they're going to run the ball using the fullback and sometimes they're going to use the running back. There is a slight difference between "ISO" and "DIVE", you know. If those aren't the meaning of multiple, then what is?

There will be trick plays, but in the context of Mark Dantonio's world, a trick play will be a pass to the first down marker.

Defending Michigan State is about stamina and patience. They will be happy to punt seven times in the first half if it means they only punt three in the second. The common phrase now being "punting is winning" and it applies to this game more than any other. In that regard, it'll be a reality show: Sam Foltz vs Mike Sadler - who can get it closest to the line without going over?

Neither team will be able to run the ball, although Michigan State has a better shot than Nebraska. I'd like to state otherwise, but all the homer powers on earth can't make a patchwork offensive line overcome the best in the nation. You could say you want your team to establish the run, but that will only mean "Yay! Two first downs in a row", or "Holy cow, an eight-yard gain! We are crusing now my friends!".

Tommy Armstrong Jr has that option feel about him, but I doubt the option will work well against a Sparty defense that's no doubt prepared for it. I would expect that Tim Beck has some different plays for this one. I recall only seeing one draw play this season, but that's enough to know that Beck has one. We've seen at least one middle screen as well, another play that's designed to mess with the defense.

No, this one is simple. Turnovers and big plays. That's it.

Michigan State has the edge in the former. Nebraska has the edge in the latter. Win and Bo Pelini is the greatest coach in the history of college football forever this week. Lose, and the FIRE BO PELINI crowd will be out in full force.Date/Time: Saturday, November 16th, 2:30 pm CT

Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Surface: FieldTurf
Capacity: 87,000+
Special Events: Academic All-America Reunion and Salute; Jake Young Scholarship

Series Record: Nebraska leads 7-0
Last Meeting: Nebraska won 28-24 in East Lansing last year.

TV: ABC/ESPN2 - Coverage Map

Announcers: Sean McDonough, Chris Spielman, Shannon Spake

Radio: Huskers sports radio network