Whatever happens, this will be the first time Michigan plays a full sixty minutes since the season opener.
It is a big game. Michigan State is undefeated and has been ranked in the top five; Michigan is playing as well as anyone in the country. Of course they are rivals and they are in the same state. The game is receiving a lot of national attention and, while the Big Ten championship has the most influence, post-season games will be affected.
Michigan State is not at their best and this week may not be a top 5 team. Their defense—personnel, depth, and coaching—is not as strong as in recent years. Connor Cook is a top NFL prospect and Aaron Burbridge and others are strong receivers. Injuries on the offensive line and a less-than-stellar running game are negatives. Apparently MSU’s special teams are average or below.
Beginning with the Oregon State game (game two) Michigan’s games have been blowouts. They have become better and more diverse on offense and more resolved—allow nothing—on defense. Michigan, in this incarnation, has not been stopped.
Overall, Michigan has the deeper and healthier team. Michigan’s players (and coaches) may be hungrier given the drought, but that is an assumption. It is possible that Connor Cook will experience a bit of a beat-down. Regardless, he cannot do it by himself.
M 31-10.
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How Harbaugh made Michigan so good so fast.
1) Competitiveness and a win-now attitude. Not a win to save my ass attitude, a we will always win attitude. No moral victories and no building for the future. This was easier to do because most of the players, coaches, and others are driven, successful people already. But that still does not answer the question; Harbaugh did it because that is his personality and he lives it every day.
2) Fresh, proven assessment of talent and appropriate strategy. Harbaugh brought in a bevy of NFL coaches with serious experience. New was needed. This kind of new is state of the art.
3) Administration. Dave Brandon was an obstacle and Harbaugh arrived with a new, department-wide opportunity. Harbaugh’s solve it attitude (see #1) helps, but the Jake Rudock acquisition (and integration) is an example of something new at Michigan.
4) Have you ever seen Urban Meyer on the sideline when Ohio State has the ball? He is a quarterback enthusiastically guiding every play. Michigan finally has an offense again.
More and more and more. This is not a good paragraph:
Vegas believes Sparty is banged up and not playing well for a top ranked team. Connor Cook and Arron Burbridge have been basically winning games for MSU. State's offense does not make a ton of mistakes and the worst thing that really happens to them are punts. The big key for this game is: can MSU's beat up offensive line stop Michigan's pass rush? If Wormley and Big Willie are in Cook's lap all afternoon, Sparty is in for a long day. State's best defensive players are on the D-line in Shilique Calhoun and Malik McDowell. We all remember Malik's recruitment and his mom not signing the LOI due to hearing Malik wouldn't have to go to class in East Lansing. The Michigan offensive line will have to stop these guys and let Rudock or the RB's get to the next level against State's shaky secondary.
“The worst thing that really happens to them are punts.” Not a good sentence either, but it makes sense. I will suggest this: even if Michigan State is losing 50-0 with 12 seconds left, they will kick Michigan players you know where. I for one have no original insight into MSU’s roster. It could be a long, tough game. State has been there before, in the recent past, and Dantonio and his coaches will be prepared.
The above link does mention the loss of Pat Narduzzi and that is relevant.
I can't avoid the conclusion that was obvious to anyone who watched this game: Michigan should maul MSU up front; with Jourdan Lewis a threat to completely neutralize Burbridge, State is going to have to move the ball in ways they so far haven't been able to do against much lesser defenses. link
My personal opinion is that Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio needs to reposition Spartan football. You are no longer the underdogs—you are the underdog for this game because it is deserved. The we’re angry because we get no respect thing is way too old. This year people assumed that you are top 5 material and that is based purely on (waning) respect.
This is not going to be pretty for State fans at all.
What does it mean for Michigan State and beyond?
If Michigan State puts out hobbled versions of their OL they are going to die. Jack Allen on one leg is going to die. Jack Conklin on one leg is going to die. Kody Kieler… you get the idea. If MSU wants to play these guys they'd better be near 100%.
Ryan Glasgow is one game away from establishing himself as nationally elite. If they get a reasonably healthy version of Jack Allen that matchup is not going to go anything like the way it did last year. I guarantee it. He is playing out of his damn mind. Last year he'd flash talent and battle most of the time; this year he is violently discarding anyone put in front of him.
RJS is a fine replacement for Ojemudia. He's a half step behind, probably. Michigan didn't experience a dropoff to him.
Underneath coverage remains the weak spot of the D. Peppers can be had; the safeties can be had. Not all the time and you'd better pray if you want those Y cross routes to work before the pocket implodes, but you can move the ball a bit by dinking and dunking.
If you're going to hit a big play against this D it is going to be a spectacular contested catch. M is playing a deep safety with zero run responsibility, sometimes two, and their corners have been playing fades and fly routes perfectly all year.
Michigan State depth chart (approx.); actual. 24/7 recruits: State is definitely getting highly-ranked national recruits. That is fairly new and it speaks to their longevity. But, truth be told, the Spartans may have a higher flame-out rate than Michigan.
Michigan has the better defense (bbq sponsor!).
Garbage (“too much emphasis”). I really dislike it when anyone starts talking about speaking for (all) the fans. No “the narrative,” just which team is better, or more specifically, the match-ups and which team is playing better now (injuries, other circumstances, and all).
Michigan State isn't going anywhere as long as Mark Dantonio is here. Michigan is on the rise with Harbaugh. History tells us that both schools can't stay on top at the same time. If it's possible, it would be these two coaches that make it happen. But normally as one school rises, another falls. A Michigan win would signal clearly that their rise is real. That may not mean that MSU is falling, but it would certainly confirm just how close these two programs are after years of being miles apart.
Just ugly (above).
No crutch equals yes crutch?
No, no, no. Look at the games and players.
Michigan State (+7.5) at Michigan, 3:30 p.m. ET: This line feels the most inflated by public perception. If Jim Harbaugh wasn't coaching Michigan and the Wolverines had the same record, is it at 5? 4? The love of Michigan likely necessitated a line this big. Michigan State and coach Mark Dantonio have always been motivated by perceived oversights. This feels like one of those times.
Connor Cook is 29-3. Think Alabama. Things change. “Jim Harbaugh is not a patient individual.” 27-17 anyone?
In this game the play on the field and the atmosphere at the stadium (including arrests) will be too much for the Spartans. Maybe it will be safe here in Colorado.
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