Michigan State vs Notre Dame: Can the Irish finally get their first win over the Spartans?

A	Notre Dame Fighting Irish will win

B	Michigan State Spartans will win

In week three of the 2011 college football season, the Michigan State Spartans are at the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. If you have watched the Irish's first two games, then you know this is a very good football team. However, you also know they are turnover prone and have lost their first two games because of that. Michigan State enters South Bend undefeated, and the Spartans hope to remain that way following the game.

Stat Comparison of the Two Teams

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Statistics through Week 2

Rushing Offense - ranked 57th; 157.50 rushing yards per game
Passing Offense - ranked 10th; 436.50 passing yards per game
Total Offense - ranked 13th; 510.50 total yards per game
Scoring Offense - 75th ranked ; 25.50 points per game
Rushing Defense - ranked 51st; 120.00 rushing yards given up per game
Pass Defense - ranked 74th; 233.00 passing yards given up per game
Total Defense - ranked 52nd; 353.00 total yards given up per game
Scoring Defense - ranked 82nd; 29.00 points given up per game

Michigan State Spartans Statistics through Week 2

Rushing Offense - ranked 43rd; 173.50 rushing yards per game
Passing Offense - ranked 49th; 241.50 passing yards per game
Total Offense - ranked 50th; 415.00 total yards per game
Scoring Offense - ranked 42nd; 36.00 points per game
Rushing Defense - ranked 22nd; 75.00 rushing yards given up per game
Pass Defense - ranked 3rd; 76.00 passing yards given up per game
Total Defense - ranked 4th; 151.00 total yards given up per game
Scoring Defense - ranked 3rd; 3.0 points given up per game

While the statistics may suggest Michigan St should have no problem defeating Notre Dame, the are misleading. The Spartans have played all inferior teams this season. Notre Dame, on the other hand, has played two BCS opponents.

I like Notre Dame this week. There is no way they have 5 turnovers, yet again. If they can avoid the turnovers, they should be able to defeat the Spartans. Their offense has been really good and their defense has been good enough. The Irish are currently 4.5 point favorites, and I'd expect them to cover!

UPDATE

Notre Dame took a 21 to 10 lead into the half and continued where they left off in the third. On their first possession of the second half, the Irish 71 yards for the touchdown. Their defense has only given up 29 yards rushing on the ground. The Irish may be up 28 to 10, but they did have two turnovers, which should concern their fans. They just can't seem to resolve this issue.

UPDATE

In the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Spartans were able to add a field goal, making the score 28-13 with eleven minutes left in the fourth.

UPDATE

Notre Dame was set to put this game away with five minutes left in the fourth as they forced Michigan State to punt. However, the Irish, yet again, turned the ball over as punt returner, John Goodman, fumbled the kick and the Spartans recovered.

UPDATE

Notre Dame was able to get an interception at their two yard line to keep the Spartans from getting back in this game. The score is currently 28-13 with three and a half minutes left in the game.

Final - MSU 13 Notre Dame 31

Game Statistics

Notre Dame

Total Yards: 275
Rushing Yards:114
Passing Yards: 161
First Downs: 18
Penalties: 6 - 53 yards
Turnovers: 3 - 2 fumbles lost - 1 interception

Notre Dame Passing Leader

T Rees: 18 for 26 - 161 yards - 6.2 average per pass - 1 touchdown - 1 interception

Notre Dame Rushing Leaders

J Gray: 12 carries - 65 yards - 5.4 average per carry - 0 touchdowns
C Wood 14 carries - 61 yards - 4.4 average per carry - 2 touchdowns

Notre Dame Receiving Leaders

M Floyd: 6 receptions - 84 yards - 14.0 average per reception - 0 touchdowns
T Jones: 3 receptions - 40 yards - 13.3 average per reception - 2 touchdowns

MSU

Total Yards: 358
Rushing Yards: 29
Passing Yards: 329
First Downs: 21
Penalties: 12 - 86 yards
Turnovers: 2 - 1 fumble lost - 1 interception

MSU Passing Leaders

K Cousins: 34 for 53 - 329 yards - 6.2 average per pass - 1 touchdown - 1 interception

MSU Rushing Leaders

L Bell: 7 carries - 27 yards - 3.9 average per carry - 0 touchdowns
D Coleman: 10 carries - 26 yards - 2.6 average per carry - 0 touchdown

MSU Receiving Leaders

B Cunningham: 12 receptions - 158 yards - 13.2 average per reception - 0 touchdowns
D Sims: 3 receptions - 38 yards - 12.7 average per reception - 1 touchdown

Brian Johnson

Michigan State vs Notre Dame: Can the Irish finally get their first win over the Spartans?

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