I've been reading multiple Sparty message boards and the consensus seems to be that UM's defense is overrated because they haven't played any good offenses in the top 50 in yards per game. So I did a little research...
UF yards per game average against opponents not named Michigan = 414
Against Michigan = 192
UC yards per game average against opponents not named Michigan = 349
Against Michigan = 200
AF yards per game average against opponents not named Michigan = 437
Against Michigan = 232
PU yards per game average against opponents not named Michigan = 459
Against Michigan = 189
Couple of caveats, AF's yard average is a little skewed by their first game against VMI where they had well over 600 yards of offense. San Diego State held them to only about 30 more yards than Michigan did. Cincinnati is just a bad offense/team.
Anyway, as you can clearly see, playing Michigan HEAVILY skews their overall average when they represent 25% of your season so far. Michigan has held their 4 opponents an average of 212 yards under their average yards per game outside of Michigan.
Offensively, MSU is averaging 430 yards per game on offense with the best defenses they've seen being Iowa who is ranked 65th and ND who is ranked 74th. Iowa held them to just 300 yards of offense in East Lansing, 130 yards below their average. I think it's safe to say that Iowa's defense isn't as good as Michigan's. If Michigan continues their performance of holding their opponents to 212 yards below their season average, MSU should finish with around 218 yards of offense. Do you think that will be enough to beat Michigan on the road under the lights?
One more thing, Michigan is the ONLY B10 team that has beaten a ranked opponent in the non conference schedule. Sparty had 1 chance and got beat by 20 in a home night game...
UF yards per game average against opponents not named Michigan = 414
Against Michigan = 192
UC yards per game average against opponents not named Michigan = 349
Against Michigan = 200
AF yards per game average against opponents not named Michigan = 437
Against Michigan = 232
PU yards per game average against opponents not named Michigan = 459
Against Michigan = 189
Couple of caveats, AF's yard average is a little skewed by their first game against VMI where they had well over 600 yards of offense. San Diego State held them to only about 30 more yards than Michigan did. Cincinnati is just a bad offense/team.
Anyway, as you can clearly see, playing Michigan HEAVILY skews their overall average when they represent 25% of your season so far. Michigan has held their 4 opponents an average of 212 yards under their average yards per game outside of Michigan.
Offensively, MSU is averaging 430 yards per game on offense with the best defenses they've seen being Iowa who is ranked 65th and ND who is ranked 74th. Iowa held them to just 300 yards of offense in East Lansing, 130 yards below their average. I think it's safe to say that Iowa's defense isn't as good as Michigan's. If Michigan continues their performance of holding their opponents to 212 yards below their season average, MSU should finish with around 218 yards of offense. Do you think that will be enough to beat Michigan on the road under the lights?
One more thing, Michigan is the ONLY B10 team that has beaten a ranked opponent in the non conference schedule. Sparty had 1 chance and got beat by 20 in a home night game...
