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College football Week 9 schedule and predictions

By Akash Anavarathan

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 21: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after rushing for a 69 yard touchdown in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines on October 21, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 21: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after rushing for a 69 yard touchdown in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines on October 21, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 21: Spartans wide receiver Cody White (7) gets hit hard by a pair of Hoosiers defenders on a punt return during a Big Ten Conference NCAA football game between Michigan State and Indiana on October 21, 2017, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 21: Spartans wide receiver Cody White (7) gets hit hard by a pair of Hoosiers defenders on a punt return during a Big Ten Conference NCAA football game between Michigan State and Indiana on October 21, 2017, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 16 Michigan State at Northwestern

Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 27, 3:30 PM, ESPN

Michigan State has quietly become the better team in their own state, with the Wolverines dropping two games to Penn State and the Spartans.

Now, the Spartans turn around and head to Northwestern for a Big-10 showdown.

Three Things to Watch

1. Can LJ Scott be effective post-arrest?

LJ Scott has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, after being arrested for driving with a suspended license this past week. He’s sorted out all of his legal issues off the field, so will he be effective on it this weekend?

Scott’s been averaging nearly five yards per carry while rushing for four touchdowns as well. Michigan State rushes for nearly 180 yards per game and will need Scott in this game.

2. Can Brian Lewerke manage the game and not turn the ball over?

The Spartans have only dropped one game so far this season to the Fighting Irish, 38-18. Lewerke, the Michigan State signal caller, has been pretty solid so far this season in his game manager role.

The passing offense throws for less than 200 yards, but Lewerke has only thrown three interceptions so far this season. He’ll need to keep that number down again this weekend.

3. Can Northwestern run the ball against the Spartans’ stout rushing D?

The Spartans have only let opponents run for 93 yards per game this season and will look to not let Northwestern run all over them either.

If Michigan State can hold Justin Jackson and the Wildcats’ rushing offense down, I like their chances.

Michigan State over Northwestern, 19-14.

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