Michigan-Michigan State Football: Preview

Time: 3:30

Location: Big House

TV: ESPN/ABC

Line:  Michigan—4.5

Weather:  75 and Sunny

• Denard is effective through the air and ground
• Mike Shaw can break some nice runs and can complement "Shoelace"
• The Michigan D slows MSU's running game
• We see some four-man fronts on defense
• Michigan's senior LBs put this game on their backs 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 LBs look lost and out of place most of the game
• Greg Jones is stopping Denard
• MSU's talented WRs aren't in the same zip code as Michigan's DBs
• Michigan 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 in-state rival in town.  Six wins get them bowl eligible for the first time under RR, they have lost two years in a row to State, and this could be win No. 2 over the three rivals on Michigan's schedule this year.  I think Michigan will come out with guns 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!