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Second consecutive road night game, and the biggest hurdle is probably avoiding a let down.

It that way, the environment might help MSU focus.  A sleepy noon game could be trouble.

Minnesota seems very, very thin on the back end, and that was before the loss of Winfield, so you would hope Lewerke could get back to attacking through the air.

Offensively, the Gophers play into the strength of Michigan State's defense.  They max protect more than any team in the Big Ten, and where MSU has historically struggled is when teams spread them out, MSU stays overly aggressive, and they pick apart the matchup problems.

On paper MSU should win.  The whole "get up for UM, then have a letdown thing" is dead considering Dantonio is 8-2 in the week after Michigan.  But still the floor on this team is low, so aside from I guess Rutgers, there is no game where I breathe easy, particularly on the road.

No time for a full breakdown this week.  This one makes me nervous, as any night road game does, particularly how the team responds to a big win.  It seems like the one thing Minnesota wants to do offensively is the thing MSU defends best, and MSU's biggest weakness, Minnesota is not equipped to attack.

Michigan State 21, Minnesota 14

On paper MSU should win.  The whole "get up for UM, then have a letdown thing" is dead considering Dantonio is 8-2 in the week after Michigan.  But still the floor on this team is low, so aside from I guess Rutgers, there is no game where I breathe easy, particularly on the road.

I think letdown games are real and not just for MSU.  This is interesting but I wonder if some of it is a result of the fact that for many of the last 10 years MSU beating Michigan wasn't really an upset.  

• 2016:  MSU lost to an obviously superior Michigan team (closer than records would suggest) then LOST the next week to an Illinois team that they probably should have defeated.  
• 2015:  MSU beat an inferior Michigan team then WON the next week over Indiana.  
• 2014:  MSU beat an obviously inferior Michigan team than LOST the next week to Ohio State.  
• 2013:  MSU beat an obviously inferior Michigan team than WON the next week over Nebraska.  
• 2012:  MSU lost to a similar Michigan team then WON the next week at Wisconsin.  
• 2011:  MSU beat a similar Michigan team then WON the next week over Wisconsin.  
• 2010:  MSU beat an obviously inferior Michigan team then WON the next week over Illinois.  
• 2009:  MSU beat a similar Michigan team then WON the next week over Illinois.  
• 2008:  MSU beat an obviously inferior Michigan team then WON the next week over Wisconsin.  
• 2007:  MSU lost to a superior Michigan team then WON the next week at Purdue.  

By my quick review MSU hasn't really had an upset win over Michigan in a decade.  Mostly, of course, this is because Michigan generally hasn't been good enough to be upset.  The few times that they were (2016 and 2007) they beat the Spartans.  

Starting RG David Beedle remains out, only significant injury for MSU

Solid win without bringing A game. Defense had some let downs late - happens with a young team. Teachable moments.