Three keys for the Wolverines in the annual rivalry game between Michigan football vs. Michigan State.
Few games fire up Michigan football fans like Michigan State. The rivalry has heated up over the years and boiled over last year when MSU players attacked some Wolverines in the tunnel after the game.
The two straight wins by Mel Tucker seemed to change things and so did Mark Dantonio’s tenure at least the end, which was spoiled by Jim Harbaugh.
However, the Wolverines can really establish themselves again with another win. Harbaugh has won two in a row just once against Michigan State and this would be the second time.
The last trip to Spartan Stadium ended with Michigan football blowing a 16-point lead in the third quarter. Plenty of nightmares have happened for the Wolverines in East Lansing and here are three keys to avoiding that on Saturday night.
Manage emotions and start fast
Michigan started extremely fast against Minnesota with a pick-six on the first play from scrimmage. The Wolverines also scored early against Nebraska.
But in the wins over Rutgers and Indiana, Michigan football fell behind 7-0 and didn’t score until the second quarter last week against the Hoosiers. Michigan did score 52 straight points last week and 31 consecutive against Rutgers, but U-M doesn’t want to start like that on Saturday.
The atmosphere will be electric and the best thing for Michigan is to take the crowd out of the game early. They also don’t want to let Michigan State build confidence. Establishing the run and getting the lead early would accomplish both objectives.
Make Michigan State one-dimensional
The Spartans have struggled running the ball this season, averaging just 3.5 yards per attempt and a total of 117 yards per game.
Nathan Carter has been effective for Michigan State and is averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Katin Houser might be the most important player for the Spartans’ offense, but Carter is going to be essential to take the pressure off the Spartans’ young quarterback.
Minnesota and Indiana did find some success on the ground. Michigan State might be able to as well. Jalen Berger is another running back who has 24 carries on the season for 90 yards. Outside of that, it’s Carter and the quarterbacks.
Michigan football is allowing just 2.6 yards per attempt this season, which is second in the Big Ten in terms of rushing defense. If the Wolverines can limit the Spartans’ running game and force Hauser to throw all game — it’s not going to work out well for Michigan State.
The Wolverines have forced six turnovers in the past two games — just food for thought.
3. Get a good game from J.J. McCarthy
Michigan State’s defense isn’t terrible. The Spartans are eighth in the Big Ten in interceptions, sacks, and rushing yards allowed.
Yet, that doesn’t seem like a defense that will wreak havoc on J.J. McCarthy. This is the third road game in four weeks. I also expect it to be the loudest.
McCarthy is leading college football in QBR. He’s also got 17 total touchdowns. It’s hard to see Michigan State winning this game unless they are able to sack McCarthy and force him into some turnovers sort of like the Bowling Green game.
Forcing McCarthy to throw the ball 30-40 times might be preferable for Michigan State because that would at least mean the Spartans have had the lead or are stopping Michigan’s running game.
One thing to note is that Michigan State ranks third in all of college football in third-down defense. Winning on the early downs will be important for Michigan, but if McCarthy plays like he did in every game this season but Bowling Green, the Wolverines will win.