When Michigan State takes the short 65 mile drive to the Big House, there is going to be more on the line than just 
the Paul Bunyan-Governor of Michigan Trophy, which is awarded to the winner of the game between the Wolverines and the Spartans.
The storylines are abundant in this interstate rivalry game between the 17th ranked Spartans and the 18th ranked Wolverines. This is the first time they’ve both been ranked in the top 25 since 2003.
Michigan State is trying to win three straight games against the Wolverines which would be the longest winning streak they’ve enjoyed in the series since 1965-67.
U of M holds a comfortable series lead at 67-30-5. What makes this game so much more intriguing is that nobody in the preseason expected this to happen. The only team from the state of Michigan that had votes in the Associated Press preseason poll was Central Michigan. The Spartans only play one more team ranked in the top 25. If they could top Michigan at the Big House they could possibly win or share their first Big Ten Title since 1990.
If you haven’t heard yet, U of M has the most electrifying player in college Football. Denard Robinson or the “Nard Dog” continues to dominate opposing defenses. He has already become the first player to twice rush and pass for more than 200 yards in a regular season game in the same season. He needs only 95 rushing yards to top 1,000 for the season and 87 to eclipse 2,000 total yards.
To put that into perspective only six players last year passed for more than 1,000 yards and rushed for more than 900 yards. Robinson has already achieved that feat in only 5 games. He is a one man wrecking crew whose duel threat ability has made him the early Heisman favorite in everyone’s eyes. With all that said when you turn your eyes to the other side of the ball you see one of the worst defenses in all of college football.
Michigan is ranked 102nd nationally in total defense (433.6 yards); They are 73rd in scoring defense (25.4); and are 37th in rush defense (125.8 yards) and dead last and in pass defense (307.8 yards) Michigan is coming off a 42-35 victory at Indiana last week, a game in which the Hoosiers passed for 480 yards.
Coach Rodriguez said, “I don’t have to look at them to know where our problems are. We have to play better. Some of the problems didn’t happen overnight and won’t be solved overnight, no matter what we do. Some of them we’ve got to try to solve in a hurry and get as good as we can be and the rest of it, we will solve as time goes on.”
The Defense will be tested with the well rounded Spartans who are coming off a great win at home against Wisconsin.
The Spartans are led by their well balanced passing and rushing attack. Kirk Cousins is their steady leader at QB who averages 225 yards through the air. There two main feature backs are Edwin Baker and surprise freshman sensation Le’Veon Bell. The pair of halfbacks have run for a combined 1007 yards. Their defense is ranked 41st in total defense giving up 328.60 a game
Five Keys of the Game
1. The Denard Robinson factor: Can Denard continue to have his way with opposing defenses. This will be his biggest test yet, because Michigan State has a solid LB core led by All-American Greg Jones. Robinson must limit the times he is hit so he doesn’t get worn down in this shootout style game.
2 . Turnover margin: Like everything else in his game, Denard takes very good care of the ball. Since he touches it every snap Michigan’s offense is in good hands. The Wolverines defense must win the turnover battle if they want to win this game. Their young and inexperienced and will give up a ton of yards to Michigan State’s balanced offense but they must make a few big plays to end drives and put their offense back on the field.
3. The Big House: This is the first true road game for the Spartans since they played against Florida Atlantic at Ford Field. The atmosphere will be electric and you can’t simulate 113,000 screaming fans. Michigan needs to score early and often to keep the crowd in the game. I think the home crowd will provide the extra motivation the Wolverines need to get over the hump in this even matchup. Rich Rod is 2-6 at Big House vs. Big Ten foes. This should be a major emphasis of change now that he has such a potent offense.
4. Special Teams: Michigan must limit big returns in the Kick and Punt Return game by State. Keshawn Martin had a 74 Yd Punt Return against Wisconsin in the 2nd quarter that really set the tone in the first half VS Wisconsin. Michigan’s kicking has been awful this year making only 1-5 field goals. If opportunity knocks they better answer the call and do their job. Michigan State has a reliable field-goal kicker in Dan Conroy so if the game is decided by 3 points edge goes to State.
5. Intangibles of a Rivalry Game. Spartans pulled one off against Notre Dame with the fake field goal that went for a touchdown to win the game. Mark Dantonio will be coaching in the press box after missing two games; this should give State an emotional lift heading into the game. Spartans only play one more team ranked in the top 25 (at Iowa) If they win they could possibly win their first Big Ten Title since 1990.
I’m taking the Wolverines at home 35-31 in the game of the week.
Gameday might be at South Carolina watching the Gamecocks get stomped on by Alabama but this will be the true game of the week. I think you need to score over 35 points to beat the Wolverines and I think State gives them a great shot, but the Nard Dog prevails with another huge game that keeps the hype rolling on his Heisman status.
Like many Michiganders this Saturday has been long awaited. The weather is supposed to be 70 and gorgeous. There will be two good football teams battling in one of College Football’s great stadiums.
What could possibly dampen such a great event?
I know ABC could hire Matt Millen to do the color commentary on the game.
Used with permission of the author.
Mateo Ferda is a Detroit-based sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax.
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