Spartans have advantage over Eagles in every major category

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Eastern Michigan middle linebacker Daniel Holtzclaw vs. Javon Ringer

For being a player at a Mid-American Conference school, middle linebacker Daniel Holtzclaw sure has raked in the preseason awards. The 6-foot-1, 246-pound senior was selected to the Dick Butkus (top linebacker), Bronco Nagurski (best defensive player) and Rotary Lombardi (lineman who best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi) preseason award watch lists.

Last season, Holtzclaw finished 21st in the nation in tackles and with Javon Ringer sure to be the focus of every opposing team’s defense this year. And there’s no more important player to look out for than the defensive playmaker.

EDGE: Ringer — The senior running back ran like a man possessed in the season opener, even though the final stats didn’t indicate it. If the offensive line can give him just a little help, Ringer should be able to blow by Holtzclaw and the rest of the Eastern Michigan defense.

MSU offensive line vs. Eastern Michigan defensive line (the three-step-drop)

The importance of this matchup is the offensive line giving the quarterback enough time to go through his progressions and hit the open receiver. Senior quarterback Brian Hoyer only completed 20-of-48 passes against California and although some of the misses were his fault, a big part of the problem was him not getting enough time in the pocket. In order for the passing game to succeed on Hoyer’s end, he needs enough time to find his receivers and make the correct throws.

EDGE: MSU — Eastern Michigan’s line doesn’t have the same pass rushers that the Golden Bears had, therefore giving them the upper hand to give Hoyer more time.

MSU defensive line vs. Eastern Michigan quarterback Andy Schmitt

The Spartans only sacked Cal quarterback Kevin Riley once last week — not bad when you consider the Bears allowed only 11 sacks in 13 games last year. Still, the sacks weren’t the issue. The D-line rarely put pressure on Riley, allowing him to pick the MSU defense apart. In their first game, the Eagles gave Andy Schmitt plenty of time, as the senior completed 15-of-20 passes. Schmitt also gained 38 yards and a score on the ground, so containment is also a worry heading into Saturday’s game.

EDGE: MSU — As previously stated, Eastern Michigan is no Cal. The bigger, faster, stronger and more talented MSU linemen should put plenty of pressure on Schmitt, making it a long day in East Lansing for the visitors.

MSU front seven vs. Eastern Michigan running back Terrence Blevins

Terrence Blevins gained 178 yards on 21 carries and scored two touchdowns in the Eagles’ opening game, so the skills are there. MSU’s linebackers played solid in the opener and if the defensive line clogs the middle, it should be a successful day for the Spartans on the gridiron.

EDGE: MSU — If the MSU secondary and defensive line nip the passing game in the bud, then they should be able to focus on the running game. Unless you have a Denver Broncos-like zone-blocking scheme, you can only run the ball so much before the defense catches on.

Coaching

Eastern Michigan head coach Jeff Genyk is slowly working to turn around the Eagles by building around solid players on defense. Jason Jones, a defensive end taken in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans, was a building block and Holtzclaw continues to strengthen the program’s stability. On the field, MSU head coach Mark Dantonio hasn’t been pleased with team penalties and should clean up the issue this week.

EDGE: Dantonio — You can’t replace big-time coaching experience, and Saturday will mark Dantonio’s 50th game as a head coach. Genyk is headed in the right direction but doesn’t have much of a track record against teams like MSU.

-Compiled by Cash Kruth and Jacob Carpenter

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