The Huskies roll into East Lansing Michigan today for their first Power 5 match up of the season. Despite the 2-0 start the Spartans parted ways with head coach Mel Tucker this week over off the field conduct issues. The Spartans will be led by Harlon Barnett and Spartan coaching legend Mark Dantonio. After toppling #11 Michigan State last season in Seattle the Huskies must now look to prevent that fate away from home. Here’s what to watch for as the Huskies face their biggest test of the young season.

Offensive Line’s Big Day:

The Huskies pass blocking has looked quite good, especially for a team that sent three starters last year into the NFL. But the truth is they haven’t seen a power 5 opponent yet. Michigan State is going to be the prove it game. Currently second in the BIG 10 in sacks the Spartans have done a good job in getting after the quarterback.

They are averaging 5 sacks a game this year while the Huskies are yet to give one up. One of those numbers is going to be in for a reality check and from what I’ve seen I don’t think it will be the Huskies. It’s also going to be this line’s first trip into a hostile environment together. They’ve had the advantage of a home crowd but East Lansing won’t be so friendly–especially with the return of Mark Dantonio and the university selling alcohol at games for the first time ever.

If the Huskies blockers manage to look as good today as they have in the past few games it will be safe to say they are for real. Adding one more thing for opponents to worry about.

The flip side of this coin is the offensive’s other task. While the pass blocking has looked on point the ability to run the football has been in doubt. With less than 100 rushing yards against two group of five opponents this game is a different kind of prove it. The Huskies need to establish something on the ground or the alarm bells start to ring. This team is a contender for the PAC-12, and they are looking more and more like a CFP team every game. But if they can’t run the ball then they start to look shaky. It doesn’t have to be much, but getting any resemblance of a good ground attack going against a talented Spartan defense will be a Husky win.

Secondary to Stay Hot:

Noah Kim will be making just his third start in green and white. The redshirt junior looked good in his previous two games, but those were against Central Michigan and Richmond. When these two teams met 366 days ago the Huskies forced one of their only 12 interceptions in that game. Now in East Lansing an improved secondary will be facing a less experienced quarterback.

If the secondary is going to establish themselves as a force on the field today’s going to be the day. On the road against a Big 10 team the new look defensive backs will have their work cut out, but have set themselves up with the opportunity to show more than just Husky fans that this group is legit.

Whether it be for Jabbar Muhammad or Thaddeus Dixon to get their first takeaway for the purple and gold, or Kamren Fabiculanan to extend his Int streak to an impressive third game takeaways will be a key factor to watch for the Huskies. A dominant performance from these guys against Michigan State would force people to say something. And force more attention to the Huskies title hope.

Big Day for the Big Guns:

At this point we all know what the Huskies are about. Putting up points, putting up yards, and generally proving to be unguardable. Don’t expect that to change, but today might have a little more fire under it, at least for one Husky. Today is the homecoming for Germie Bernard. Originally a Michigan State Spartan Bernard has made a new home in Seattle and thrived. Even as the Huskies fourth receiver on the depth chart he has had a huge impact both returning and receiving.

If we are going to see Germie Bernard take a kick to the house today would be the day. Bernard is second on the team in yards per catch at 18 behind only Ja’Lynn Polk’s outrageous 22.8. Odunze has the lead in total yards at 239 while McMillan leads the team with his three touchdown grabs. The fire power this offense has is of course led by the Heisman contender Michael Penix Jr. who is currently 5th in the FBS in passing yards.

Penix is of only two QB’s in the top 10 with just two games played.

This Michigan State defense should provide a nice test for the Huskies but even the local press knows there is no slowing down Penix and Co.