GBMWolverine: Preview of Michigan State
Posted at 8:00am — 10/7/2010
A preview of the University of Michigan and Michigan State Game
This is a big game for both teams, even bigger for Michigan State who does not have to play Ohio State this year. A win could put the Spartans clearly in the Big Ten Conference title race. A win for Michigan would cement a bowl game and provide a real opportunity to finish in the upper half of the conference standings.
A so here is a short GBMWolverine preview
Offense-
MSU is a true power football team. The Spartans will use a TE much of the time and sometimes two TE’s. This is a downhill, between the tackles, TB-oriented running team. Michigan State will use a shotgun and a multiple WR offense. The passing package that concerns GBMWolverine the most is the play action series off the power running game. When the running game is working the play action package can be deadly.
QB Kirk Cousins is a very good fit for the MSU offense. He is a good ball-handler and gets everyone involved in the passing game.
This is demonstrated in that MSU’s top three receivers have 17, 16, and 16 receptions respectively. Cousins has completed 66% of his passes for over 1000 yards and only four interceptions.
The running game is a two-headed monster that features two big, powerful TB’s who combined already have rushed for over 1000 yards. Edwin Baker and Levon Bell are over 215 pounds and run with the shoulders squared downhill, a style necessary to succeed in this offense. Both have the vision to see the hole and the athletic ability to hit the cutback.
SE Cunningham has emerged as MSU’s go to receiver, but teammates Mark Dell and Martin are good enough to keep defenses from ganging up on Cunningham.
Before the season started we thought MSU’s O line could prove to be a problem area, but this group has been solid all season. UM also has to be aware of TE’s Charles Gantt and Brian Linthicum, a combo that has combined for 15 catches.
Defense-
This will be an interesting match up. MSU prides itself in being tough against the run and the UM offense has run the ball successfully all season. MSU is a base 4-3 zone blitz team, a scheme used at Ohio State by Dantonio.
The strength is up the middle, between the hashes. All-American MLb’er Greg Jones leads the Spartans. Jones is MSU’s leading tackler with 41 tackles and he also has two interceptions.
OLb’ers Eric Gordon, Chris Norman and John Misch are also solid.
MSU DT’s are big and tough; Pinkleman and Worthy are 290 or so pounds and do an excellent job of keeping the linemen off Jones.
The DE’s are solid, but neither is an excellent edge rusher. Safeties Hyde and Robinson are among the leading tacklers and are physical in run support. CB Rucker also plays well against the run and is solid in coverage.
Special teams-
The Spartans are strong here and this is an area that really concerns us as UM followers. Bates averages over 45 yards per punt and Dan Conroy is 7-7 in FG’s, including 3 over 40 yards and one 50-yard make. Martin is also a dangerous return man!
Written by GBMWolverine Staff
Go Blue — Wear Maize!