MSU Week: Three Keys To A Michigan Football Victory
Saturday will mark the 116th game between Michigan and Michigan State. The Wolverines lead the all-time series with the Spartans, 72-38-5.
Michigan will enter the game undefeated at 7-0 while the Spartans are in a downward spiral sitting at 2-4. Mel Tucker is gone and interim coach Harlon Barnett has yet to win while leading the team.
While both programs are headed in opposite directions, you can typically throw the records out the window when talking about the Wolverines, Spartans, and the Paul Bunyan Trophy.
Michigan is heavily favored headed into East Lansing, and I'm going to share what three things the Wolverines need to do in order to escape undefeated.
1. Win the run game
It's something that's talked about every year during the Michigan-Michigan State game, but there's a reason for it. Stats prove the most productive rushing attack has won 47 of the last 53 games in the series. From 1969-1994 the winner of the game ran the ball more effectively than the other.
Staying in the present now, the Wolverines have a much better chance than MSU to win the run battle this weekend. Michigan has the 41st-ranked run offense gaining 182 yards per game, while MSU has the 111th-ranked rushing attack averaging 118.6 yards on the ground.
While the Spartans have a terrible rushing offense, Michigan State does have a better-than-average run defense. MSU will carry the 32nd-rushing defense into the game on Saturday, so Michigan will need to scheme some things to let Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards get going on the ground.
As long as Michigan can win the trench battle, it feels like the Wolverines will have a very good chance to not only win the game but possibly cover that big spread.
2. Force a few turnovers
Michigan State is one of the most undisciplined teams in the country. The Spartans are 131st in the country giving the football away 15 times in six games. In the past three games alone, the Spartans have had five, four, and three turnovers -- not good.
The Spartans finally benched Noah Kim, who had six interceptions and started freshman Katin Houser last week against Rutgers. Houser did throw one interception a week ago, and with him being young and playing in a big game environment, the freshman could very easily throw a couple against the Wolverines.
Michigan has forced 12 turnovers so far this season and the Wolverines have been wreaking havoc. Michigan State is going to come out ready to play on Saturday and it's very possible the crowd is going to be in it to begin with since it's MSU's championship.
If Michigan can force a few turnovers and get one early that will take the crowd out of the game and not allow the Spartans to stay up in spirits.
3. Keep emotions in check
Let's face it: Michigan is much more talented. Just looking on paper alone, the Wolverines should dominate the Spartans, and when you look up and down the rosters, Michigan is superior there as well.
But this game goes much further than the stats. This game, especially for a 2-4 Michigan State team, is the Spartans national championship and they will do anything to win the game.
This game always gets chippy and extracurricular activities tend to happen during the game. There will be bad calls that go against Michigan, and there even could be some adversity early in the game, but the key is to keep emotions in check.
Fans and players remember what happened last year after Michigan beat the Spartans. Players vividly remember what happened to their teammates in that tunnel, but the Wolverines have been saying all the right things this week. Coaches and players want their play to do the talking and getting a win against the Spartans will be the revenge.
The Wolverines have much more at stake than letting Michigan State stand in the way. Michigan is fighting for another Big Ten title and a national championship. Just go into East Lansing, win, and get out.
Michigan and Michigan State will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night and will air on NBC.
