Michigan Football: The Gameplan That Will Silence the Spartans

With each Brady Hoke victory, the shadow cast over the Michigan football program by Rich Rodriguez fades further and further away. 

In the buildup to last season's Michigan/Michigan State showdown, very few experts gave the Wolverines a chance to win. Sure, Michigan's read-option offense could score enough points, but the defense couldn't stop anyone, at any time.

This season has been different. Michigan has been forced to play from behind in four of the six contests. On each occasion, the Wolverines were able to claw their way to victory.

The difference has been on defense, where Greg Mattison has pulled the right strings, allowing Michigan to make big plays down the stretch.

No. 11 Michigan (6-0, 2-0) has been installed as 2.5 point road dogs, which basically makes the 104th meeting between of the two teams a tossup.  

The enthusiasm for this edition of the No. 23 Spartans (4-1, 1-0) is not quite what it was for last year's Big Ten co-champions. 

Despite the return of Edwin Baker, Le'Veon Bell and Larry Caper, Michigan State's running game has been a major disappointment. The Spartans rushed for only 29 yards in the loss to Notre Dame, and 71 in the win at Columbus.

In the only two games that mattered, the defense played poorly at Notre Dame, and inspired at Ohio State.

Looking back over the last two seasons, the Spartans have displayed a few weaknesses. There's no question Michigan can end its three-game losing streak at the hands of Michigan State. Let's look at how a sound game plan can get it done.

Gamble Early on Defense

Many expect Michigan State to establish the run early. It's been a sore spot for the Spartans this season, and Mark Dantonio would like nothing better than correct this problem against Michigan.

In several games this season, Michigan has started conservatively on defense and have paid dearly. For once, the Wolverines have the weapons to be disruptive early. Coach Mattison has considered moving Mike Martin, on occasion, from nose tackle to either defensive end or linebacker.

In the defensive backfield, get Blake Countess into the game early. He's been getting praise all season, but what's better than one from one of your peers.

"As a true freshman you can get guys who get wide eyes when they come on the field,” Ryan Van Bergen said recently. “He was focused. He has a swagger about him and he’s very confident in his abilities.”

If Countess can cover either B.J. Cunningham (38 catches) or Keshawn Martin (19 catches), Michigan can play more man-to-man coverage.

Then blitzing more would be less dangerous.  

Score First

This is easier said than done. A quick glance at Michigan State's three losses in the last two seasons shows that the Spartans fell behind in each game.

Last season at Iowa, Michigan State trailed 17-0 after one quarter. In the loss to Alabama, the Spartans were basically finished at halftime, 28-0. This year, Notre Dame jumped out to a 14-3 first quarter lead on the way to a 31-13 win.

In each case, quarterback Kirk Cousins faltered under pressure. Having to abandon the running game, Cousins threw critical three interceptions at Iowa.

Nothing would have brought the Spartans back against Alabama, but Cousins was intercepted once and sacked four times.

Notre Dame was more of the same. Trailing 14-3 after the first quarter, Cousins was forced to throw 53 total times, but they only accounted for one touchdown.

Should Michigan score first, it just might shake the Spartans' confidence a bit. 

Use the Run to Set Up the Pass

It's important to spread Michigan State's defense across the field, since the Wolverines are not ready to slug it out with the Spartans.

Remember, we haven't seen much of Denard Robinson under center along with a fullback and a tailback in an I-formation. 

But it's important that Michigan runs the football. Whether it's by Robinson himself, Smith or Toussaint on quick hitters and counters. 

What can't happen is Robinson being forced into a one-dimensional passing game. 

Throw the Deep Pass

Robinson has lived and died throwing the home run ball this season. Whether he's thrown it up for grabs or into double and triple coverage, there's one thing you can say. He hasn't cost Michigan a game.

The importance of the long ball is keeping the defense honest. Your bread and butter might be the curls to the tight end, and the slants and out-cuts to the wide receivers. But throwing the bomb requires the defense to cover sideline to sideline, and from the line of scrimmage to the end line.  

Bring Back the Diamond

Michigan effectively trotted out a new formation against Minnesota two weeks ago. It's a variation of the diamond formation run by Oklahoma State.

Devin Gardner lines up at quarterback under center, Vincent Smith and Denard Robinson line up as slotbacks or wings just outside the tackles. Fitzgerald Toussaint lines up as a deep tailback.

A variety of misdirection plays can be run out of this formation, but what's interesting is two quarterbacks are in the game at the same time.

The only real concern is Michigan State's pass rush, which produced nine sacks against the Buckeyes last week. 

Get Roundtree Involved

At times this season, you'd wonder what happened to Roy Roundtree. A year ago, he was Robinson's favorite target, finishing the season with 72 catches.

Despite his game-winning grab against Notre Dame, Roundtree he has just eight receptions this season—something that could be corrected Saturday.

On a brighter note, Jeremy Gallon has really stepped up this year with 17 catches, and Junior Hemingway has been steady with 15. 

What will also help against the Spartans is the short and intermediate passing game. Tight end Kevin Koger and running back Vincent Smith have both caught a pair of touchdown passes. Smith has been extremely effective running after the catch, especially on throwback screens.