Michigan State Preview

Time:  Noon
Location: Spartan Stadium
Weather: 66 and 10% Rain
TV: ESPN
Line: Michigan -24.5

One team is 7-0 this year, the other is on a 5 game losing streak, one team owns the series lead 68-35-5, the other has won the last 7 out of 8 games, one team is over a 3 TD favorite, the other won last years match-up with a blocked punt and score as time expired. 

When Michigan and MSU meet you can throw all those stats out the window.   This will be a hard hitting football game and closer then people think. 

Tale of the Tape

MSU Offense vs. Michigan D = Michigan
Michigan O vs. MSU D = Michigan
Home Field Advantage = MSU
Coaching = Michigan
Special Teams = TBD

It's clear on paper who the better team is, as it was last week when Ohio State traveled to Happy Valley.  Michigan is probably better or even at every position on the field.   As we all remember his recruitment, Mailk McDowell is a very good player and expected high draft pick next year.   Like many of his teammates on defense, he has been a bit banged up the last few weeks.    With that said, MSU only has 7 sacks this year. 

MSU RB LJ Scott is a solid running back and will try to get as many yards on the ground as possible, as MSU will try to hide their inexperience at QB through a strong running game.  The team with the most yards on the ground has won this game 42 out of the last 46 times. 

Fun Fact:  This is Michigan's 1,300 football game all time.

Smile proudly, that things are back to normal if.........

• Michigan is running the ball on MSU
• Wilton is accurate and plays clean
• Michigan's defensive line is overpowering MSU O Line
• Peppers proves he is the best player on the field
• Michigan plays angry but clean for last year

Yell, the only green I like is money if..........

• Michigan turns the ball over and keeps the game close
• Special teams is an issue
• There is a wind storm of trash and rain
• MSU hits big plays

The only way MSU wins this game is if they surprise the Wolverines with some big plays.   They will try to run the ball but that won't work very often.   They will be pulling out all the tricks in the book in this game,  look for fake punts and field goals.   Look for long passes and MSU going for 4th down in non-traditional field position.

MSU has nothing to lose in this game and will play for their entire season on Saturday.  Right now, they are looking to be home for the holidays and that Western Michigan is ranked higher then them.   Saturday is their entire season and they are very desperate.    ESPN win percentage is 98% for Michigan.   They are either going to fight like prisoners trying to break out of jail or will lay down and let the Wolverines run all over them.   I'm expecting a street fight.

Jimmy will have the Wolverines ready to roll up their sleeves and play hard.  The memory of the blocked punt will motivate every one of those starters.   Time to take back the Paul Bunyan!

Michigan 31 MSU 17 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2016/10/michigan-state-preview.html