Michigan Football: 3 reasons to fear an upset by Michigan State

Michigan State has a gamer at quarterback

The numbers may indicate otherwise, but Michigan State has a solid defense, one that is certainly capable of keeping the Michigan offense in check and if that happens, Brian Lewerke might be able to do just enough to steal a win for the Spartans.

Michigan Wolverines

Lewerke isn’t a superstar by any stretch of the imagination. Yet, he is a proven winner. He owns two wins over Penn State, with both victories coming against the Nittany Lions while they were ranked in the top 10. He also beat Michigan football on the road last season and over the past two years, is 14-5 as a starter.

Lewerke has just eight touchdown passes compared to seven picks this season and last week, he only completed 46.2 percent of his throws against Penn State. But he still managed 259 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner to Felton Davis, who caught two touchdowns in the win.

Michigan State doesn’t run the ball great. In fact, they are among the worst running teams in the Big Ten. Yet, if the Spartans can stop Michigan from establishing a ground game, it will turn into a battle of quarterbacks. Certainly, the Wolverines have to feel good about Patterson, but guys like Lewerke, who can run (64 yards and a TD vs Michigan in 2017) and throw seem to give the Wolverines fits.

All I know is that Michigan football fans don’t want to see the ball in Lewerke’s hands late as long the Spartans are within striking distance, because that’s exactly how the Wolverines will leave East Lansing with another painful loss.

Lewerke isn’t always great. He just seems to be great when he has to be and if he gets a chance to win the game in crunch time, chances are, he will find a way to deliver.