Saturday Spotlight
(6) Michigan Wolverines at (8) Michigan State Spartans
Michigan: It’s been a revival season for them. Compared to last year, they are much stronger in more phases of the game. In the last few seasons, the offense for them has been the struggling point. It was almost as if they were getting away from their identity which is running the football. Fast forward to a year later, the ground game has been their mode of attack for Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. If you’ve listened to me on Monday Evening Quarterback or any other radio show I’ve contributed for, I’ve stated that this team has the best duo of running backs in college football. That’s Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins. These two can create nightmares for any defense because they’re both productive and they earn their yards. With the running game so strong, all Cade McNamara has to do is control things. Manage the game, hand the football off, take care of the football, but most importantly, don’t turn the ball over. Cade has only thrown five touchdown passes on the year, but that one lone interception stands out to me. Also earlier in the year, I remember saying one of the best things the Michigan Wolverines did was move on from defensive coordinator Don Brown. The change was the best thing possible for them. Watching them last year, they played too much zone for my liking and it hurt them. They’re much improved this season because they are consistently doing the little things which results in finishing tackles, rushing the passer, and winning those battles in the trenches. This morning, they will take on their in-state rivals.
Michigan State: This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the program. After Mark Dantonio’s tenure as head coach ended, the school decided to hire Mel Tucker as their next head coach. Last year as expected was a struggle for them. This year, they’ve been one of the more pleasant surprises in the country. I want to start with this offense and how impressed I’ve been with them. First, they have balance. They can spread a defense out and stretch the field and they can hand the ball off which leads me to my next point. Kenneth Walker III has been a stud to watch this year! He’s truly burst onto the scene and made a nice name for himself. In a sport where the running back position has been heavily discussed this year, he’s become one of the best at his position. He’s not the quickest, but he uses leverage to get past people. Okay, so there’s one part of the offense. The other has been their passing game with quarterback Payton Throne and Jalen Nailor. This Spartans offense has taken significant steps compared to last season. Defense is head coach Mel Tucker’s specialty. When they hired him, I knew they would also improve. So, the offense is averaging 34 points per game and the defense is ranked 11th in the FBS. It’s a good time to be a fan in East Lansing. This is only the beginning I feel. Today, they will host their biggest game in recent memory. Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines are in town.
Michigan X-Factor: Cade McNamara– So, here’s what’s going to happen. Michigan State will do all they can to take away the Wolverines running game. Cade hasn’t been asked to do much this season because it helps when you have a running game as strong as theirs to lean on. He will need to take a shot here and there down the field which could help open up the field for Corum and Haskins. This could also throw Michigan State off as a defense.
Michigan State X-Factor: Jayden Reed– He’s under the radar because Nailor has been the bigger name playing wide receiver. Jayden isn’t your typical small receiver. Yes, he’s six feet tall, but what I enjoy about his game is he goes up and gets the ball. Most receivers under 6’2 are shifty receivers that go over the middle. That’s not the case with this kid. He wants to get big and play grown man football as I like to call it.
Final Thoughts: This is the one I’ve been waiting to reveal! It’s one thing when rivals meet. But when both teams are undefeated and ranked in the top ten, there’s a reason to get pumped up for it. This is a huge game in the Big Ten East as both teams are tied for first place in the division. Michigan State has done a fantastic job up to this point. However, they struggle with penalties and they have issues on third down which I call the “money down”. Michigan on the other side may not be flashy, but they are steady and a bit more consistent. The Wolverines must come out and attack a Sparty defense that’s last in the Big Ten in pass defense and first downs allowed. Throw the football! Also, Michigan will have their hands full with a Sparty pass rush that’s been one of the best in the nation this year. This will be the toughest opponent that either team will have faced this season. When they met last year, Sparty crushed Michigan’s secondary. Can they do that again this year? I see Michigan State using tempo early on to attack the Wolverines defense.
Prediction: Michigan 26, Michigan State 23
