Michigan vs. Michigan State: Why Spartans Will End Michigan's Undefeated Season

Michigan will travel to Michigan State this weekend to try and preserve their 6-0 record on the season. Denard Robinson has dominated every facet of the game and has placed himself firmly in the Heisman race.

Michigan State has also had a solid year behind veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and an incredibly talented defense. The two schools have had a competitive rivalry for years and the games are always close.

This year, Michigan State has the advantage of experience and skill and will end Michigan’s undefeated season. Denard Robinson will be overwhelmed and Michigan State will be victorious.

Strength of Schedule

Michigan’s 6-0 record this season has been mostly the product of an easy schedule. None of the teams they have played so far are currently ranked. Notre Dame, the team the Wolverines struggled with most, is not having a great year. And to top it off, Michigan needed incredible late-game heroics to win at home.

Michigan and most importantly Denard Robinson have not been tested so far this season. In piling up big wins against Eastern and Western Michigan, the Wolverine offense could attack at will. Rarely were they challenged, and thus, they do not have experience in trying different looks and throwing defenses off their game.

Michigan has also had an early habit of falling behind in games. Against Notre Dame, they were behind 24-7 before their amazing comeback in the second half. Michigan also fell behind 24-14 to Northwestern at halftime before winning 42-24.

Michigan State is a much better team than what Michigan has faced so far. If the Spartans go up early, do not expect them to relinquish the lead.

Michigan State's Defense

Michigan State has the number one defense in the nation, allowing just 173 yards per game. They are better than SEC powerhouses Alabama and LSU and are allowing a mere 10 points per game.

Michigan State’s strength is against stopping the run, which does not bode well for Denard Robinson and Michigan. The Spartans are allowing just 67 yards per game rushing. Robinson is averaging 120 rushing yards per game himself. Something has got to give, and it will likely be the Michigan quarterback.

Last season, Robinson came into the Michigan State game averaging 180 rushing yards per game. Michigan State held him to 86.

If Robinson gets tired of trying to run through the Spartans huge defensive line and tries to turn to his passing game, Michigan State will stop him there too. Their passing defense is second in the country. Furthermore, the defense keys on mistakes and turns them into turnovers and touchdowns.

Robinson has already thrown nine interceptions on the season. Look for that number to increase as he becomes frustrated by the Spartans’ defense.

Experience and History

Michigan State has beaten Michigan three straight times, including a 34-17 victory last season. The Spartans will try to win four straight over their rivals for the first time in almost 50 years. 

Many of the players from last season are back and thus, Michigan State knows what it must do to stop the Wolverines and, most importantly, Denard Robinson. Last season, they held Michigan’s star to just 86 yards rushing and picked him off three times.

Michigan State’s defense is just as good, if not better, than last season and will get to Robinson from the opening kickoff.

The Spartans will also have the confidence that comes from beating a good team three years in a row. The team will go into the game knowing they can win, and that swagger will translate to impressive play on the field.

Team First

When one thinks of Michigan, one thinks first and foremost of Denard Robinson. Robinson has accounted for over 300 yards of total offense per game this season. Michigan as a team averages 470 yards of offense per game.

Therefore, if a team can stop Robinson, they can stop Michigan. Michigan State knows this and has done it before. Expect a repeat performance.

Michigan State, on the other hand, has a more balanced attack. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is a senior who is adept using all of his available weapons. He has completed over 65 percent of his passes on the season.

Receiver B.J. Cunningham is one of the Spartans’ best players. He is a tall, strong player who can out-jump and out-fight coverages to catch balls. He is joined by a talented receiving corps that includes the speedy Keshawn Martin and touchdown-catching tight end Dion Sims. 

The combination of Le’Von Bell, Edwin Baker and Larry Caper makes Michigan State’s running game lethal as well. Last season, Baker ran for 147 yards against Michigan. Michigan’s defense is good, but with an attack as spread out as Michigan State’s, it will be hard to stop everyone.

Home Field Advantage

Fans cheering on one team and booing the opposition is an advantage that cannot be overlooked. While very few stadiums are like Michigan’s Big House, Michigan State has its fair share of rowdy fans. An extra boost from the crowd can be all it takes to secure a victory.

Games on the road are also not easy for Michigan. A huge part of their comeback win against Notre Dame was the suddenly re-energized crowd urging the team to touchdowns. Michigan will not have that advantage in this game, so their potential for a big comeback will be reduced.

Michigan State simply has more weapons than Michigan. The crowd will urge on their defense, passing game, and running game. Denard Robinson will get frustrated and make bad decisions. When the game is over, Michigan State will have ended their rival’s undefeated season.