Michigan Football: Getting to Know the Michigan State Spartans
The Michigan football team has waited a year to get a chance at Michigan State. Here is a chance to get to know the the Wolverines’ next opponent before Saturday’s showdown.
There were a lot of great moments for the 2015 Michigan football team. The Michigan State game didn’t turn out to be one of them.
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The sad thing, is it really should have been. For four quarters, Michigan football played well enough to beat the Spartans, to end their reign over the state and to show that the Wolverines really were back on top.
Yet, we all know what happened. The Spartans pulled off a miracle and Michigan football was denied a chance to play in a New Year’s Six Bowl, maybe even the Big Then Championship, there would have been three-way tie between Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State.
But no matter. The past is the past. Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines can’t do anything about the it. They can only focus on the present.
But after waiting a year for revenge, Michigan football can finally get some in East Lansing this weekend, as UM takes on the 2-5 Spartans.
Certainly, the Spartans struggles this season have taken a little shine off this game. Truthfully, the fall for MSU has been surprising.
The defense, which has been dominant in recent years, is nothing but ordinary. In fact, it’s even worse than that. The Spartans rank 10th in total defense, 9th in rush yards allowed and are 13th against the pass.
Yer as porous as the defense has been, the offense hasn’t been much better.
The Spartans are 8th in the Big Ten in total offense, but rank 13th in points scored with just 23.9 per game. Michigan State is also second-to-last in scoring defense, which gives you an idea for why they are 2-5.
Obviously, when your quarterback struggles, as Tyler O’Connor has for Michigan State, it makes things difficult.
However, after tossing three picks in the loss to Wisconsin, O’Connor has thrown six touchdown passes compared to just one interception.
O’Connor actually lost the starting job, but after a strong second half in relief of redshirt freshman Brian Lewerke. He could be the guy in Ann Arbor. Damion Terry is also in the mix and as of now, Michigan State has said it will be a game-time decision.
In terms of offensive playmakers, the Spartans have few. One of them is running back LJ Scott, who has 464 rushing yards and five touchdowns. The other is wide receiver R.J. Shelton, who has 35 receptions for 541 yards so far this season.
Defensively, the Spartans biggest issue has been a lack of big plays. Through seven games, they have registered just seven sacks and forced seven turnovers. So if you can’t stop the run or the pass or force turnovers, good luck winning games.
Certainly, Michigan State will be energized and trying to save its miserable season with an upset win over the Wolverines. But unless UM lays a complete egg, the Spartans shouldn’t have much hope.
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Harbaugh will have Michigan football ready and if this team is as good as we all assume it to be, then taking out a lackluster Spartans squad shouldn’t be too difficult.