Michigan Wolverines vs. Michigan State Spartans Complete Game Preview
Michigan (3-4, 1-2 Big Ten) stopped the bleeding the last time it took the field by beating Penn State 18-13 under the lights at home. But now it faces a more ferocious and talented opponent in Michigan State (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten).
Over the course of the rivalry, Michigan sometimes could complain that the Spartans had bent the rules (or the clock) to win, but those times are in the past. Michigan State is now the pre-eminent football power in the state and put a vicious beating on the Wolverines the last two times the teams met in East Lansing.
Both programs have a lot riding on this year’s game. Because of a scheduling quirk, the teams meet for the second consecutive season in East Lansing, and the timing couldn’t be worse for Brady Hoke. The Spartans are competing for a spot in the new national championship playoffs and are looking not just to win but to make a statement for the national polls, while Hoke is fighting for his job.
A victory for Michigan would give Hoke some much-needed ammunition to stave off critics who are calling for his job, but a loss would probably seal his fate.
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2014
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Place: Spartan Stadium (75,005), East Lansing, Michigan
Series vs. Michigan State: Michigan leads 35-24-2
Television: ABC
Radio: Michigan Sports Network, Sirius (113), XM (195)
Spread: MSU by 15.5 via Odds Shark
Live Stats: MGoBlue.com GameTracker
Last Meeting vs. Michigan State: Michigan’s 29-6 loss in East Lansing last year was the beginning of a brutal slide that sunk the team’s Big Ten title hopes. The Spartans manhandled the Wolverines, limiting them to minus-48 yards rushing (the lowest total in school history) and sacking Devin Gardner seven times.
Video Preview
1 of 7Highlights from last year's 29-6 Spartans victory in East Lansing.
Michigan Keys to Victory
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Spread the Field
Michigan State’s defense is aggressive and takes chances. Michigan needs to spread the field to take advantage of the Spartans' tendency to go for the big defensive play. Oregon showed that the Spartans defense can be solved, but Michigan will need a career game from quarterback Devin Gardner and his receivers to do so. The Wolverines will need to hit some quick passes before the rush crushes Gardner. Only then can offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier start dialing up some longer passes down the field.
Unleash Gardner
Michigan has spent the better part of two seasons trying to rein in Gardner and develop a balanced offensive attack.
No mas.
The season-ending injury to running back Derrick Green and the inconsistent play of the offensive line have reduced Michigan’s offense to whatever Gardner can make happen. It’s time to pull out whatever plays are in the depths of the playbook. Tricks, reverses, Gardner at receiver—Hoke needs to try everything. Playing conservatively will just mean another big loss.
Smother the Passing Attack
In the last game, Michigan’s defense finally showed signs of having the potential to be a dominant unit. The secondary has only managed three interceptions so far this season—it is due. The defense will need a masterful performance to give Michigan a chance and might even need to score some points to help the cause. The main goal will be to not give up big plays while forcing Michigan State to put together long drives and causing some turnovers.
Michigan State Keys to Victory
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Pressure Gardner
All season, teams that pressure Devin Gardner have been able to shut down the Michigan offense. Look for the Spartans to hammer Gardner on each and every play.
Throw the Ball
In past seasons, the Spartans featured a bruising defense and an adequate offense. This year the offense has stepped up, and the Spartans are in the hunt for a national title. They are the 12th-ranked offense in the nation; they’ll come out gunning to try and put this game away by halftime.
Special Teams
The Michigan offense is not built for long drives. If Michigan State can force the Wolverines deep in their own territory with a solid kicking game, the Spartans can wait for turnovers to do the rest.
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Michigan Players to Watch
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Quarterback Devin Gardner
Gardner has always been a high-risk, high-reward kind of player, but he will need a nearly perfect game to beat the Spartans. Last year he had a great game versus Notre Dame to lead the Wolverines to victory—now he’ll need to show he can perform on the road versus Michigan’s bitter in-state rival.
Wide Receiver Devin Funchess
Funchess entered the season with high expectations after donning the No. 1 jersey, but a persistent leg injury has hampered his performance. Great players at Michigan are remembered for how they perform in rivalry games, and this is his chance to help turn this season around and save Brady Hoke’s job.
Defensive Back Jabrill Peppers
Where has Peppers gone? A leg injury knocked him out earlier this season, but speculation persists that he is ready to return. Could Hoke be saving Peppers as a secret weapon to unleash versus Michigan State? We’ll see on Saturday.
Michigan State Players to Watch
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Quarterback Connor Cook
Cook (108-of-176 for 1,641 yards, six interceptions, 16 touchdowns) gives Michigan State the big-play ability to dominate this game. Michigan needs to shut down the big passing plays, or this game could get ugly. Defensive linemen Frank Clark and Willie Henry need to pressure Cook and get their hands up to disrupt his passing lanes.
Wide Receiver Tony Lippett
Lippett (39 receptions for 786 yards and eight touchdowns) is the primary big-play threat for the Spartans. Michigan needs to bracket him on every play. If Cook and Lippett get a rhythm going early, Michigan will be in big trouble.
Defensive End Shilique Calhoun
Calhoun (22 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks) will make Gardner’s life difficult on Saturday. The Michigan offensive line will need to account for him on every play, and running back De’Veon Smith and Justice Hayes will have their hands full picking him up when he breaks free to chase Gardner.
What They’re Saying
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Michigan
Michigan head coach Brady Hoke via press conference:
"I think they [Michigan State] are a terrific football team, No. 1. They are the returning Big Ten champs, and I think 17 of their 22 starters are either fourth- or fifth-year guys. So, they have a lot of quality experience. I think Connor Cook has become one of the better quarterbacks in this league. I think he grows every week it seems. And Lippett is the best receiver in this league.
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"Our guys know who we're playing, and you want to go up there on game day with a little extra excitement and attitude. But you want to keep all of that and be as poised and controlled as you can because you want to play your best football.
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Quarterback Devin Gardner via press conference: "The thing was, for what it was, I watched the game [last year’s 29-6 loss], and I felt like I played as well as I could possibly play. I’d make the first guy miss, second guy miss, and the other guys would just come. They play hard. They're a good football team. They play really, really hungry."
Michigan State
Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio via Mike Griffith of MLive.com: "It's always a great week. It’s a great week for college football, it's a great week for our program, and we've always embraced it."
Former MSU linebacker Eric Gordon via Angelique S. Chengelis of The Detroit News:
"But with Coach D's foundation at Michigan State, I can't see it breaking. He brought back all of the tradition of Michigan State football. That's back to the Biggie Munn days, the days of Duffy Daugherty and George Perles. Those were the great days. As long as that tradition stays, I don't see things changing too soon here.
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Prediction
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Michigan State 27, Michigan 17
Michigan will make a game of it, but the Spartans are too tough in their home stadium and have too much riding on winning this game to let the Wolverines steal it.
Information according to University of Michigan Wolverine Football game notes.
Phil Callihan is a featured writer for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotations obtained firsthand.
Follow @PSCallihan
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