Each week, we’ll look back on what our expert analysts thought each team needed to do to secure victory in our NCAA Football broadcasts, brought to you by Pennzoil.
- September 29th: Halftime score: Ohio State 7 – Michigan State 3
(Listen to Rod Woodson’s Keys to the Second Half from our broadcast)
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Ohio State: Rod wanted the Buckeyes to push the tempo and get Michigan State on its heels.
Ohio State Verdict: After surrendering the lead midway through the third quarter, Ohio State struck back almost immediately. Braxton Miller’s 63-yard touchdown pass to Devin Smith capped a quick-fire four-play, 75-yard drive that took just 1:39 off the clock.
Michigan State: Rod said Spartans quarterback Andrew Maxwell needed to make some big plays in the passing game to opening up running lanes for Le’Veon Bell.
Michigan State Verdict: The second half was a case of more of the same for the Michigan State offense. Maxwell was 13-26 for 129 yards before the break and 9-16 for 140 yards after halftime. Despite a few long pass plays in the second half, the Spartans running game never got on track. Bell managed to average only 2.6 yards on 17 carries for the game.
Final score: Ohio State 17 – Michigan State 16
- September 29th: Halftime score: Wisconsin 20 – Nebraska 10
(Listen to Terry Donahue’s Keys to the Second Half from our broadcast)
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Nebraska: With the Huskers trailing in their own building, Terry’s second half keys focused on Nebraska. He said the biggest factor was for the running game to get going – particularly, Rex Burkhead and Ameer Abdullah.
Nebraska Verdict: After a Taylor Martinez fumble on their first possession of the half, Nebraska fell even farther behind on Montee Ball’s third touchdown of the night. But those would be the last Wisconsin points of the night. After running the ball 17 times for 68 yards in the first half, Nebraska racked up 191 yards on 29 carries in a dominating second-half performance. Abdullah was the biggest factor, cutting and slashing for 66 yards on 8 carries after being given just two chances in the first half. Burkhead also improved after the break, picking up an additional 3.4 yards per carry in the second half.
