Michigan State Preview

desmoinesregister.com

Time: 12:00
Location: Spartan Stadium
Weather: 46 and 50% Rain
TV: Fox
Stream: Fox Go
Line: Michigan -7

I just don't understand Michigan's State's program at all.  I thought they would be a complete train wreck last year and had a decent season.   This year many thought they were a top 10-15 team and have lost games to Arizona State and Northwestern, but upset Penn State on the road last week with a team that was kept together with bubble gum and duct tape.

Maybe Dantonio is some type of wizard?  Remember when he disappeared from the sideline a few years ago?

Wait a minute, where did you go Coach Dantonio? https://t.co/85MtwFdHIl

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 24, 2016

Tale of the Tape

Michigan D vs. MSU O = Michigan
Michigan Run Game vs. MSU D = MSU
Michigan Pass Game vs. MSU DB = Michigan
Intangibles = MSU
Health = Michigan
Coaching = Rivalry Game

MSU has the #1 running defense in the country and of course Michigan loves to run the ball.   I expect Pep and Jimmy understand this and will have some type of game plan that doesn't have Higdon, Evans, and Tru running non-stop into a brick wall.

Michigan is also pretty good on defense and will have to stop the 4 yards passes and QB runs from Lewerke and MSU.   This will be a game, where Michigan will need to spy on Lewerke because him running on 3rd and 6th is pretty much the Spartans Offense.   Just a reminder to Hudson, this means waiting at the LOS and stopping Lewerke for a one yard gain vs. blitzing for a sack.

Sneak out of East Lansing with a smile on your face if...…………..

• Michigan plays really hard with the thoughts of last years game on their mind
• Michigan's Defense can turnover MSU and stop their offense
• Michigan's offense has a great game plan to run and pass for 400 total yards 
• The Wolverines play well on the road 
• Defense gets the Michigan's offense short fields and lots of points 

Yell,  WTF is it with Dantonio! if...…………..

• Michigan gets caught with one of MSU's trick plays 
• MSU is stopping the Michigan run all day 
• MSU all of sudden gets healthy for this game 
• The game is too close for comfort all day and in the 4th 

MSU prepares for this game like no other on their schedule.  It's their Super Bowl, National Championship, and Big Ten Championship every year.   MSU as won way more then they should have lately including the last two out of three, which included a dropped punt/score and a hurricane at the Big House.  

If you wonder if that luck can continue?  It did last week, MSU fumbled 4 times and didn't lose any, ran a fake punt for a 26 yard gain, Lewerke hit PSU defenders with passes 16 times, and they only picked of one.    That is some Wizard Bleep right there.  

So how do you pick this game?  It's not an easy task, let me take you into a scary journey into my brain:

Noon Kick - Good 

On the road - Bad 

Michigan has last years memory of a loss - Good 

Gary is questionable - Bad 

Lewerke is struggling - Good 

Lewerke is a mobile QB - Bad 

MSU is injured at key positions on the Oline & WR positions - Good 

MSU will do anything to win this game - Bad 

Shea Patterson is still going to be the difference in this game.   If he can play well,  get first downs with his legs and hit open WR's/TE's for TD's, Michigan will win.   If he struggles, Michigan kicks field goals and keeps MSU in the game which could be trouble.  The rain could be an issue which keeps this a very low scoring game.   I also expect the MSU field to look like US Open rough.  

Michigan 23 MSU 13

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/10/michigan-state-preview.html