No. 20 Michigan State has the ball at its own 21-yard line to begin the second quarter.
[ PREVIEW | BY QUARTER | BOX | PBP | CONNECT | WEATHER | WATCH ON BTN2GO ]
Now, let’s look at what Dienhart says about this game.
Why you should watch: How will the Spartans respond coming off an ugly 20-3 home loss to Notre Dame in which the offense struggled mightily? The good news: Eastern Michigan is horrible. MSU didn’t even reach the red zone vs. the Fighting Irish, scoring only on a 50-yard field goal.
Keep an eye on: The offensive line. It must play better. Quarterback Andrew Maxwell—who is playing better than many think–was harassed often and sacked four times last week by ND. The unit is a bit banged up with tackle Fou Fontoi (foot) out but must step it up.
Key matchup: Le’Veon Bell vs. the Eastern Michigan front seven. When all else fails on offense, Michigan State can turn to Bell. He could enjoy a huge day vs. a soft Eastern Michigan defense that ranks 116th in the country. Bell needs 90 yards to become the 16th MSU player with 2,000 career yards rushing. The Spartans need a big offensive effort to restore confidence coming off the program’s fewest points tallied in a home game since a 20-3 loss to Central Michigan in 1991.
Key number: 8, number of drops by Michigan State receivers last week vs. the Fighting Irish. The unit needs to hang onto the ball, especially Bennie Fowler, who didn’t make a catch last week and dropped a pass in the end zone.
Key note: 0, turnovers generated last week. The Michigan State defense ranks first in the Big Ten (250.3 ypg), but more big plays are needed. The Spartans rank last in the Big Ten in sacks and 10th in tackles for loss. And MSU is eighth in turnovers generated.
| EDITOR’S NOTE | In partnership with Narrative Science, BTN.com posts recaps after every quarter of every Big Ten football game. Use the links above for more info on this specific game, including full Big Ten campus weather reports. And enter your zip code below to find the TV channel airing BTN football games on your TV provider. If your game isn’t listed, it’s on another TV network. Learn more about our TV GameFinder. |
#Spartans
@kdbnmahasane African Queen, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Hade #Spartans we'll regroup and come back stronger ★★★
@kylecoddington Kyle Coddington, East Lansing, MI
Shout out to Saturday Night Live reppin MSU!! #spartans
@L33Swagg17 Liam Wintroath, CA•MN
It was cool that @ESPNLunardi was the commencement speaker at graduation! #Damien #Spartans #classof2013
@channy0123 Kailyη, Instagram: k4ilyn
If @KrugTorey was 3 years younger, I'm sure he and @SamCas21 would be BFFs. #spartans #hockeyplayers
@LIVE_happie Tori Franklin, Michigan State
Im SO proud of my team!! 27 of us went into reginals, 13 made it out alive to live another day! #NationalsBound #Spartans #GoGreen

Why isn’t MSU and Easter Mich game being televised on Time Warner in San Antinio, TX?
Delores, have you checked to see if your TV provider offers the overflow channels? We offer them to all TV providers. Use this page to see if games are offered from your TV provider: http://btn.com/about/btn-gamefinder/
they replaced it for the nebraska game, 35-0 in the first half, real nail biter. I wonder what idiot made that call for BTN?
We apologize for any inconvenience. Please, to get a direct response from our Customer Service team, send a message through our Contact Us page. They’re better equipped to address your issue faster. They read all of the mail and have a rapid response team.
why isn’t the game being broadcast? not on regular or overflow channels even though its listed in game finder, Cox ch1677 in Phoenix
Scott, we apologize for any inconvenience. Please, to get a direct response from our Customer Service team, send a message through our Contact Us page. They’re better equipped to address your issue faster. They read all of the mail and have a rapid response team.