Sparty comes into the Saturday showdown in rough shape. Not just because they are victims of ESPN, the Detroit media, and everyone on the planet who has a conscience, but they are carrying a lot of injuries.
Key Injuries:
OUT
TE: Matt Dotson - starter (Achilles) - new injury
WR: Darrell Stewart - starter (leg) - missed last week
WR: Jalen Nailor - would have been starter (leg) - been out since game 2
LT/LG: Kevin Jarvis - starter (knee) - injured vs. PSU
LT: Cole Chewins - was starter (back) - has been out all year
C: Matt Allen - starter (knee) - was out last week.
LB: Joe Bachie - starter (needle in ass) - out last week
Questionable
OL: Luke Campbell (illness) - starter.
WR: CJ Hayes (Undisclosed)- starter
LT: Tyler Higbe (Undisclosed) - starter (was starting guard). Injured during PSU game
Impacts for Saturday:
Offense:
OL vs. our front 7: Sparty ran the ball effectively against Illinois with a patchwork offensive line that included a true freshman at center (he will start vs. us). Illinois was missing a lot on their D. And they sucked against us too in the first half. I think they will struggle big time against our front 7. Don Brown has had a week to scheme. I will take that side of the bet any day.
WR's. Will start 1 freshman in addition to the legendary Cody White
RB: zero talent after Collins
QB: zero talent
TE: Dotson wasn't great to begin with. Their backup isn't good either.
Defense:
DL: healthy and best unit on team hands down
LB: Noah Harvey did a good job replacing Bachie and led team in tackles
DB's. Josiah Scott is probable. He is the only one with talent. Shea should torch them.
I do not see how MSU scores. They do not have any WR's to run crossing routes. Their OL is a patchwork of 2nd stringers and their OL was awful when healthy. Brian Lewerke should play like Brian Lewerke does. Which is poorly.
