Central Michigan @ Michigan State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 12, 2009 ) Central Michigan 29, Michigan State 27

THE STORY: A home loss to Central Michigan was the low point of a forgettable 2009 campaign for Michigan State.

Another slip up against the Chippewas seems unlikely now that Kirk Cousins is entrenched as the Spartans’ starting quarterback and fellow signal caller Dan LeFevour is no longer at Central Michigan.

Cousins and the 23rd-ranked Spartans return home looking to rebound from a blowout loss to Notre Dame on Saturday against the Chippewas.

Michigan State is seeking a 10th straight home win. And even with a gauntlet of Big Ten contests on the horizon - beginning with Ohio State next week - the Spartans won’t overlook Central Michigan again.

Two years ago, the Chippewas pulled off a 29-27 upset behind LeFevour in East Lansing. That was just the fourth win in 20 tries against Big Ten foes for Central Michigan, which hasn’t beaten a ranked opponent since 1991.


TV: ESPNU. LINE: Michigan State - 22

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (2-1): Cousins, who was a sophomore fighting for playing time when the Spartans were upset, has thrown for 734 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. He was busy in a 31-13 loss to Notre Dame because Michigan State’s vaunted running game managed just 29 rushing yards on 23 carries. The problem is an offensive line that is now without C Blake Treadwell (knee) and RT Skyler Burkland (broken ankle).

ABOUT CENTRAL MICHIGAN (1-2): The Chippewas’ offense is ranked 92nd (333.7 ypg) out of 120 FBS teams. Junior Ryan Radcliff threw for a mere 215 yards against Western Michigan.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Cousins set career highs in completions (34) and attempts (53) against Notre Dame.

2. Michigan State’s next four games are as follows: at Ohio State, vs. Michigan, vs. Wisconsin and at Nebraska.

3. The Chippewas’ victory in 2009 ended a four-game losing streak to Michigan State.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 49, Central Michigan 10 – The Chippewas were torched by Alex Carder (355, 3 TDs) last week. If the Spartans’ running game sputters again, Cousins can carry the load.