Michigan State has a defensive unit ranked No. 3 nationally in total defense, allowing 257.3 yards per game. Only two teams have topped 400 yards of total offense against defensive coordinator Pat Narduzziโs unit. Just the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide are better than State at stopping their opponents. Of course, those two SEC units will play for the national title in college football, and they’re loaded with NFL talent. MSU doesn’t have near as many next level guys, which is a testament to Narduzzi’s ability.
You understand why he’s such a hot coaching prospect; especially this year with so many jobs open.
D Tackle Jerel Worthy is to the unit what Beyonce is/was to Destiny’s Child. He’s got probably the highest NFL draft stock of anyone in the Big Ten, and a bad-ass tattoo. (Which you can see and learn more about here) His stats aren’t as impressive as his game, and he’s not as tall/big as he’s listed. However, there’s a reason everyone game plans around him and obsess about trying to contain him. The DL itself is insanely good, and Worthy is complemented inside by Kevin Pickelman and ends Kareem Rush and William Gholston.
“I love playing on the d line and having the freedom to try and dominate someone,” Pickleman said.
“I feel we got consistent pressure though the entire game actually, both with our blitzes and just free rush we were having someone get free…Once you get a taste of that Big ten Championship I really want it again, to put that Rose in my mouth that’s all I can think about,” he continued.
State has play-makers in all three levels of their defense. Safety Trenton Robinson leads a very talented secondary that had a strong presence on the All-Big Ten teams selected Monday. Robinson is ready and excited for the chance to take on the Wisconsin Badgers Saturday night.
“This is the biggest game of our careers,” Robinson said.
“This is the game we would be Big Ten champs all alone, not sharing it with anyone and send us to the Rose Bowl which we haven’t been to since ’88, so this is you better be ready to go and play.”
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. Heโs also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
A Fulbright scholar and MBA, Banks has appeared on live radio all over the world; and he’s a member of the Football Writers Association of America, U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and Society of Professional Journalists. The President of the United States follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB) You should too.
