Michigan State football vs. Minnesota: 5 determining factors and a prediction

I imagine the Spartans are eager to prove they’re better than what they showed last weekend at Washington, especially defensively. The question is, are they? This week will go a long ways toward explaining exactly who this MSU football team is — its defensive secondary, its pass rush, its offensive line. If QB Tanner Morgan and Minnesota have similar success gashing the Spartans’ defense, then you can buckle up for a season-long battle just to get bowl-eligible. The Gophers are different than the Huskies — a better running game and more committed to it, and perhaps not quite as potent through the air.