Michigan vs. Michigan State: Will the Spartans Expose Denard Robinson?

One of today’s most intriguing games will be the battle for the Paul Bunyan trophy between in-state rivals Michigan and Michigan State.

The Wolverines will head to East Lansing riding high with a perfect 6-0 record and a No. 11 national ranking. However, we’ve seen this story before. Michigan was in the same situation last season, but they ended up getting thoroughly handled by the Spartans 34-17, a loss that inevitably sent them on a downward spiral.

Michigan State’s defense dashed quarterback Denard Robinson’s Heisman hopes by neutralizing him and attacking him all game long.

They laid the blueprint for how to contain Robinson, and Michigan’s subsequent opponents followed it for the rest of the 2010 season.

The question is, will the Spartans be able to slow down Robinson for a second straight year?

Here’s a look at a few reasons the Spartans could expose the athletic dual-threat signal-caller.

The Pass Rush

Michigan State is capable of putting some serious pressure on quarterbacks, and the Spartans have already racked up 14 sacks in five games this season.

Big defensive tackle Jerel Worhty may be the most intimidating member of the Michigan State defensive front seven, but he’s certainly not the only defender who can penetrate.

The Spartans can bring pressure from all angles, whether it’s with Worthy up the middle, William Gholston coming off the edge, Denicos Allen and Chris Norman coming from their linebacker positions or even Johnny Adams coming on a cornerback blitz.

Robinson will have to be on the constant lookout for pressure, and if the Spartans can rattle him early, he might start to get happy feet in the pocket.

The Secondary

Michigan State has two future pros in its secondary this year, with junior cornerback Johnny Adams and safety Trenton Robinson.

Adams and Robinson are a big reason why the Spartans rank second in the country in pass defense.

Michigan Sate is only allowing 109 yards through the air per game.

Teams have figured out that they probably shouldn’t test Adams, and that’s allowed other DBs like Isaiah Lewis and Kurtis Drummond to show off their ball-hawking skills.

Both Lewis and Drummond already have two interceptions apiece.

Past Results

Denard Robinson had one of the worst games of his career in last year’s 34-17 loss to Michigan State.

The Spartans picked off Robinson three times and they kept him from springing free in the open field.

Robinson was held to just 4.1 yards per carry.

They obviously had the formula for containing one of college football’s most electric athletes, and it’s likely that they’re going to use it again today.

If the Michigan State front seven can get pressure on Robinson early and often, he’s going to be in store for a long afternoon.