Location: Big House
TV: ESPN/ABC
Line: Michigan - 4.5
Weather: 75 and Sunny
This is the annual in-state battle with a number of story lines between two ranked un-defeated teams and clearly the best Big Ten game of the day. Michigan State has a good defense and Michigan has a strong offense. MSU gives up 18.6 points a game with ranks #36 in the nation while Michigan's offense ranks #9 in the country with a 41 point average per game. Vice versa is where it gets a bit ugly: Michigan's defense is ranked #72 in the country in "points against" while State's Offense ranks 24th in scoring 31 points per game.
So who has the advantage? Let's go to a more detailed Tale of the Tape:
Michigan Offensive Line vs MSU D Line = Michigan
Michigan Running Game vs MSU Defense = Michigan
Michigan Passing Game with Denard vs MSU DB's = Michigan
State's Running Game vs Michigan LB's = State
State's Passing Game vs Michigan's DB = State
Special Teams = State
Intangibles = Michigan (home and 2 loses in a row)
Michigan has the advantage on both lines. MSU has had trouble getting any pass rush this year and has an inexperienced offensive line. This is a game where the announcer will say for the past 100 years the team with the most yards on the ground has won the game. Michigan State will try to run the ball about 70% of the time, they want to keep Michigan's explosive offense off the field with long drives. When they do pass look for a lot of balls thrown to the running backs and tight ends. There is going to be a lot of pressure on Michigan's linebacker unit and players like Thomas Gordon and Jordan Kovacs.
Michigan on defense will need to stop the run and put as much pressure on Cousins as possible. This is State's first road game of the year and The "New" Big House crowd will be loud and juiced up for the late afternoon start.
Both teams beat ND and the MSU defense gave up 367 yards passing to to Dayne Crist but just 95 yards on the ground. Michigan will try to be more balanced with a strong run game. Wisconsin was able to run for 165 yards last week.
Sing Hail to the Victors if....................
- If Denard is effective through the Air and Ground
- Mike Shaw can break some nice runs and can compliment "Shoelace"
- The Michigan D slows MSU's running game
- We see some 4 man fronts on defense
- Michigan's senior LB's put this game on thier back and make a statement
- Cousins gets rattled and starts throwing it to the men in the Blue sweaters.
Burn all your green clothes if...................
- Michigan LB's look lost and out of place most of the game
- Greg Jones is stopping Denard
- MSU's talented WR's aren't in the same zip code as Michigan's DB's
- Michigan's doesn't have a pass rush and Cousins is picking apart the Michigan secondary
This is another game that everyone is saying "take the over". It seems both offenses will score and score often. MSU will try to wear down the Michigan D with long drives by pounding the ball and short passes. Look for Michigan to bring creative ways to get pressure besides Mike Martin with the use of true freshman Jibreel Black out of Cincinnati at DE.
Michigan has plenty to play for with an instate rival in town. 6 wins get them bowl eligible for the first time under RR, they have lost 2 years in a row to State, and this could be win #2 over the 3 rivals on Michigan's schedule this year. I think Michigan will come out with guns a blazing and we will see some new things/plays we haven't seen yet this year. If Michigan wins the turnover battle, I think they win with some cushion. I expect to hear one of the loudest Big House's ever. Don't sell MSU's first road game short, they might struggle early when they realize this isn't Ford Field. This game has a bit of a UConn feel with many of the national media predicting a close Spartan win. Michigan 38 MSU 28
GO BLUE!
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