That the focus has been so much on how much Michigan has improved rapidly under Harbaugh that the Spartans may blow the Wolverines out because expectations have become so high so quickly? I felt that the Northwestern game would be a good tough game, however, Michigan State is an whole different animal. I have watched them 3 times this year and their QB and receivers are excellent. They do have a running game and their defense is still tough. They are still undefeated and have found ways to win the close games and this is because they have a ton of experience playing in those big games. Cook is a big time performer with a 29-3 record and that speaks volumes about his ability to lead that offense. I hope I am wrong but I am getting a sick feeling to my stomach. I also know that a big part of Michigan's defensive success has been their ability to run man coverage which allows for more men in the tackle block and blitzing. Michigan is NOT going to able to play man as much against Sparty just like the Utah game because of their QB/Receiver abilities. Man I hope I am wrong
Is Anyone Feeling This About Saturday's Game?
- Thread starter scfanblue
- Start date
No I don't feel that way at all, though I respect MSU's prowess and how dangerous a QB Cook is, he won't win this game by himself. Michigan State has sleep-walked through their season so far, except for an overrated Oregon victory that they barely hung onto. I feel like they are the ones this season that have something to prove in terms of showing up with a great, whole-game performance. If UM plays within themselves, I am very confident they will have a win at the end of the day. It's not a guarantee, college football is played by 21 year olds, so the fun and pain of it is things can turn quickly. However, games are often won based on the trajectory of and the long-term confidence of a team and UM, for the first time in 25 years, has been improving weekly as a team. It is thrilling as all get out. Each week they get a little better and last week was the closest to a 60 minute execution of a game plan I've seen yet. MSU is floundering and shows no sign of such improvement. The other big X-factor is UM's coaching, they are outstanding and have won me over. Dantonio's an outstanding coach, but I'm convinced until proven otherwise that our staff is better. Those two factors, trajectory and coaching are what I'm hanging my hat on and I think we get a win on Saturday.
All the talk in the media does make me a bit uneasy and having MSU as an underdog in this game means that MSU will come to play....... Cook is an experienced QB and we will need to play a very good game to beat them. I think our Defense will play well, it's our offense that I am not totally confident in. I think the game is a toss-up, but do favor UM slightly.
I think MSUs OL injuries are CRITICAL. Michigan's DL is playing as well as any DL in the country. They're going to pressure Cook and I think he's going to be way less effective that most expect him to be.
I also like that we have a bye next week, we won't leave an ounce of energy on the field ... will be intense and focused for sixty minutes of football.
If MSU had a semblance of their original OL i'd be a lot more worried. The best chance imo for MSU to utilize their elite receivers will be by implementing max protect many times throughout the game. They will not be able to run on us, less than 100 yds for the day. Tough game but UM pulls away in the second half.
No way MSU blows out Michigan. Even when Rudock turned the ball over 3 times against Utah, Michigan still barely lost. The defense is too good, and the offense will find plenty of holes to exploit in MSU's secondary. If Smith is good to go, I think he'll run wild as well. MSU will get a couple big plays and score some points, but Michigan should win like 24-10 or something like that.
I agree with this 100%. I predicted that Michigan would beat sparty before either team ever played a down of football this year & recently I haven't even thought it will be that close. I think sparty has gotten way too full of their little selves over the past few years and their "chip on the shoulder" & "disrespect" cards have been way over-played to be that meeningful anymore. Michigan has a lot to prove to sparty, to UM fans, to the world, to themselves, and to eachother. There's no question that the UM upperclassmen are not only sick of losing, but sick of losing to sparty. Michigan will be very focused and very prepared in this game.
As for the game itself, I agree with mgb999 that UM's defense is just too good for sparty to beat all day. sparty will score some points & end the shutout streak but will not be able to overpower UM's D-line for 60 minutes. I think Durkin will dial it up to harrass the hell out of Cook & put him on his ass early & often. Offensively, I see UM exploiting spartys D-line overcommitting to get into the backfield & burn them with the run, screens, fullbacks & tight ends. Once Michigan gets past sparty's D-line it's 6.
I see Michigan winning this game pretty easily with a workman-like game 27-10.
Go Blue!
As for the game itself, I agree with mgb999 that UM's defense is just too good for sparty to beat all day. sparty will score some points & end the shutout streak but will not be able to overpower UM's D-line for 60 minutes. I think Durkin will dial it up to harrass the hell out of Cook & put him on his ass early & often. Offensively, I see UM exploiting spartys D-line overcommitting to get into the backfield & burn them with the run, screens, fullbacks & tight ends. Once Michigan gets past sparty's D-line it's 6.
I see Michigan winning this game pretty easily with a workman-like game 27-10.
Go Blue!
I'm prepared for a Michigan win. It's pretty apparent that Harbaugh has instilled confidence in his team. Basically the same guys as the past few years. However, Michigan doesn't fold now when something goes against them. It will be difficult to get UM back on their heels. They play downhill now. That's what Dantonio has done for the Spartans. They don't fold anymore either. The Cotton Bowl win last year was proof.
Spartans do not have the same defense this year that they've had in the past. They are missing key players who even when healthy were not as good as the guys who recently departed.....but most importantly...the Spartans don't have Pat Narduzzi leading them on D. I'm a died and true Spartan and that guy made a difference.
As someone else said here....these games are played by 21 yr. olds. They make mistakes and they need that intangible coaching, confidence building that only a special coach can bring.
I'm not making excuses. I'm willing to be surprised. UM is palying up. They're basically healthy. Their players, particularly Ruddock, know their limitations and do what they do best all the time.
Good luck Wolverines. No hard feelings either way. I can assure you if you prevail I will not show up with excuses. If the Spartans win I will not show up and chirp. If nothing else, it's nice to see this game be big again. Should be fun either way.
Spartans do not have the same defense this year that they've had in the past. They are missing key players who even when healthy were not as good as the guys who recently departed.....but most importantly...the Spartans don't have Pat Narduzzi leading them on D. I'm a died and true Spartan and that guy made a difference.
As someone else said here....these games are played by 21 yr. olds. They make mistakes and they need that intangible coaching, confidence building that only a special coach can bring.
I'm not making excuses. I'm willing to be surprised. UM is palying up. They're basically healthy. Their players, particularly Ruddock, know their limitations and do what they do best all the time.
Good luck Wolverines. No hard feelings either way. I can assure you if you prevail I will not show up with excuses. If the Spartans win I will not show up and chirp. If nothing else, it's nice to see this game be big again. Should be fun either way.
Mr. Spartan, that was a classy post. Seems like mutual respect on this board before the Big Game.
All the same Arrowhead....I really, really, really want the Spartans to bury you guys. 
Enjoy the game.
Enjoy the game.
