Big Ten Game of the Week

Michigan @ Michigan State: Their is no question that these two teams are undervalued and right ought to be, given their respective bowl performances from a year ago. MSU strutted into the Capital One Bowl with an 11-1 record and as Tri-champions of the Big Ten. Alabama annihilated the Spartans, 49-7, and it looked a ton worse then that score indicates, not men against boys, more like men against toddlers. Meanwhile, the other Michigan Team (the Wolves love to be referred to that way) came into the Gator Bowl, chest thumping about Denard’s speed and on a mission to save Rich Rod’s job. In the aftermath of a 52-14 beat down, Mississippi State demonstrated that Robinson was/would be, just another fast guy in the SEC and Rich Rob was seen after the game “Brown Bagging it” under the goalpost.

The good thing about sports, actually, the great thing about sports, is, you most often, get another shot. I think these teams can play, and while they are stealthy on the national radar, that is a good place for both teams right now.

These units have met five times in the past 5 years; in 06, the Wolves pounded State 31-13, in 07, Michigan outlasted the Spartans 28-24, and in 08, Sparty popped the Wolverines 35-21. The past two years, Michigan State has beaten their in state rivals, 26-20 in 09 and again in 2010, 34-17.

Michigan comes into the game @ 6-0, having held four of their six opponents to 10 0r less points. When Brady Hoke arrived, you can bet he told those mopes on defense, ” we are done beating Illinois 67-65″. These is no question that they are committed to and playing better defensively. MSU is 5-1, their sole loss is to Notre Dame, 31-13, a team Michigan beat 35-31. However, since that defeat, the Spartans have won two in a row, including a 10-7 win at Ohio State.

Michigan State is ranked 1st (that’s right… FIRST) in the nation in Total Defense, giving up an average of 173.4 YPG, while an improved Michigan is 39th best, surrendering 348.0 YPG. In Total offense, Michigan is running and throwing the ball up and down the field for a 14th ranked, 491 YPG. State is ranked 61st in the land and has moved the ball for an average of 398 yards in each of its 5 games. The Wolverines are scoring 10.8 points per game more than the Spartans, 38.8 to 28.0. Meanwhile, Michigan State is giving up a mere 10.2 points per game and Michigan is equally impressive, allowing a meager, 13.0. The teams are both ranked in the top ten in Scoring Defense, 3rd and 9th nationally.

I believe this game will come down to the following: 1) the Spartans defense and their success in keeping Denard Robinson in front of them, inside of them and then punishing him as he is forced to play in the meat house; and 2) Kirk Cousins ability to get the ball to BJ Cunningham & Edwin Baker and Le’Veon Bell’s ability to run the ball. This game is in the hands of the Spartans, they are at home and right now top to bottom, they are better than Michigan. Sparty 24 Wolves 21