Youngstown State vs. Michigan State: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time

Michigan State hasn't played its best football, but the Spartans are still 2-0 on this young season. They will take that unblemished record into another exceedingly winnable game this weekend as the Youngstown State Penguins come waddling into East Lansing. 

Lower-division Youngstown State is off to a nice 2-0 start of its own, and the Penguins will roll into this game fresh off of a 67-13 drubbing of Morehead State in a game that saw the Penguins rush and pass for an identical 359 yards in each category. 

The Spartans will be in danger of overlooking this opponent—playing Notre Dame the following week, and on the verge of their Big Ten schedule, the Spartans' schedule is about to get serious. 

However, given the Spartans' struggle on offense (more on that below), Michigan State must focus on ironing out the kinks. This needs to be done to not only improve but avoid the shock loss this week. 

Where: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan

When: Saturday, September 14 at 2 p.m. ET

TV Broadcast: Big Ten Network

Spread: Michigan State -24 at Covers.com 

Injuries

Injury info via USA Today

Youngstown State

Not Available

Michigan State

Monty Madaris, WR Questionable (Undisclosed)

Jack Allen, OL, Questionable (Foot)

James Kittredge, DL, Questionable (Hernia)

Lawrence Thomas, DL,  Questionable (Undisclosed)

Skyler Burkland, T, Out for Season (Undisclosed)

A.J. Troup, WR, Out for Season (Knee)

Key Storyline: Will Michigan State Get Its Offense Working?

In two games the Spartans have scored a combined 47 points. In pursuit of posting those points, the Spartans have picked up gains at an offensive average of four yards per play. 

The Spartans have yet to post a passing touchdown and have rushed for only two scores. 

Those are substandard numbers if the Spartans had been playing the powerhouse defenses of the SEC, but considering these numbers have come against Western Michigan and South Florida, they are a little alarming. 

Both of the Spartans opponents are staring at such rough years that they lost to FCS teams in their other game this season. 

The Spartans have to find a way to gain some explosiveness on offense, or this season will turn south in a hurry. 

Prediction

The Spartans are still playing sound defense, and that will be enough to pave the way to victory here. However, I see this team struggling to gain yards on offense. 

Still, given the short field the Spartans' defense will provide, Michigan State will put a few points on the board and emerge victorious. 

Michigan State 24, Youngstown State 13