Michigan State Preview 2017
#7 Michigan, 4-0, hosts Michigan State, 3-1, in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on October 7; the first night game between the two rivals, and its the Spartans first road game of the season. The weather prediction for 7:30-10:30 p.m. includes rain showers and winds from the south/southwest at 15-17 mph. Michigan leads the series, 69-35-5. #23 Michigan leads the series at Michigan Stadium, 34-19-3, and is 49-21-3 over the Spartans at Ann Arbor. The two teams didn't truly begin playing a home and home series until 1958; the Paul Bunyan Trophy began in 1953 with Michigan ahead 36-26-2. Mark Dantonio is 7-3 against the Wolverines, the best winning percentage of any Spartan Coach in this rivalry (Duffy Daugherty was 10-7-2 from 1954-1972); there is no game that Coach Dantonio and the Spartan faithful want to win more than this one each year. Jim Harbaugh's is 1-1 against Dantonio; he broke his arm in the 1984 Spartan game. The last time the Wolverines shut out the Spartans was 2000 when they won 14-0; they also shut out MSU in 1985, 1983, 1973, 1972, 1947, 1945, and 1942. Michigan shut out Michigan State in the first four meetings in the series, 1898-1908, and continued defensive dominance with shutouts in 1914, 1916, 1917, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925 (7 in a row), 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, and 1938 for 29 shut outs in the series. Michigan has been shut out ten times by the Spartans, but the last time was in 1967, and three of the meetings resulted in zero-zero ties including back to back in 1930 and 1931.
On offense, the Spartans are led by Sophomore Quarterback Brian Lewerke; he has rushed for 248 net yards with 2 TDs, and thrown for 963 yards and 8 more TDs with 84 of 133 accuracy and 2 interceptions for a rating of 140.8. Lewerke suffered a broken tibia in the fourth quarter of last year's game. 5th Year Senior Damion Terry is the backup. Michigan State's strength on offense are their big, bruising 230 lbs. running backs, L.J. Scott and Gerald Holmes. Scott, a Junior, has run for 214 yards on 58 carries for a TD while Senior Holmes has 27 carries for 105 yards. In last year's game, Scott gained 139 yards in 22 carries. Junior Madre London and Sophomore Slot Darrell Stewart could also contribute for their ground game. They run behind a solid offensive line anchored by Senior Co-Captain and Center Brian Allen; Junior David Beedle and Sophomore Tyler Higby are the guards, Sophomore Cole Chewins and Redshirt Frosh Luke Campbell are the starting tackles. Cass Tech standouts Jordan Reid, a Freshman, and Dennis Finley, a Senior, are backups along with Freshman Kevin Jarvis. Junior Collin Lucas is the blocking fullback, and Junior Matt Sokol is the Tight End. Redshirt Freshman Noah Davis will also see action at Tight End. Lewerke's favorite target is Felton Davis; he has 21 receptions for 256 yards and 4 TDs. Sophomore Trishton Jackson is the other wideout; he only has 9 receptions this season. Stewart has 17 receptions for 170 yards and one TD. Former Ann Arbor Skyline star, Hunter Rison, a Freshman, and son of MSU Legacy, Andre Rison, is a backup wide receiver along with Redshirt Frosh Cam Chambers.
On Defense, the Spartans leading tackler is Sophomore MIKE Joe Bachie; he has 34 tackles including a sack. Junior Andrew Dowell and Senior Co-Captain Chris Frey are the other starting linebackers; they have 22 and 20 tackles respectively, and Frey leads the Spartans with 4 quarterback hits. Another Ann Arbor product, Antjuan Simmons, a Freshman, is doing a nice job backing up Dowell at the STAR linebacker along with Redshirt Freshman Brandon Randle; Junior Byron Bullough backs up Bachie at MIKE, and Senior Shane Jones backs up Frey. Hard hitting Junior Strong Safety Khari Willis has 24 tackles with 2 pass break ups. Junior Matt Morrissey is the starting Free Safety; he has 18 tackles with 2 pass break ups. Freshman Josiah Scott and Sophomore Josh Butler man the corners; Sophomore Justin Layne is the backup. The defensive line starters are Sophomore Raequon Williams at Nose, Sophomore Mike Panasiak at Tackle, Junior Dillon Alexander and Sophomore Kenny Willekes are the ends. 5th Year Senior Demetrius Cooper backs up Willekes; he has 4 quarterback hits and a forced fumble. Freshman Naquon Jones and Junior Gerald Owens have also seen action on the DLine.
On special teams, Redshirt Freshman Matt Coughlin handles field goals, and is only 2 of 3 this season; we have a big advantage with Quinn Nordin's accuracy and distance. Senior Brett Scanlon has been kicking off, and only averages 59.3 yards per kick with 2 touchbacks in 18 attempts. Junior Jake Hartburger is the punter; he is averaging 43.7 yards per boot on 20 punts with 10 downed inside the 20. Darrell Stewart is the punt and kickoff return specialist; he has speed, but our strong kickoff unit should handle him, and our punt return unit has also been solid. One thing for sure, our punting team will need to keep an eye and two blockers on Jaylen Watts-Jackson at all times.
In last year's tilt, Michigan State outgained Michigan on the ground, 217 to 192, but came up on the short end of the score, 32-23. In 42 of the last 47 years, the team who outrushes the other has come out on top of the final score. Both teams have quarterbacks who can scramble, and make a difference in the running game; however, the risk of running in the open field also poses an injury risk in a tough, hard-hitting rivalry game. Both teams come into the game with strong defenses; as a result, one can expect a low scoring game. Michigan has the edge on special teams with a strong kickoff team, excellent field goal unit, and a dangerous punt returner with Donovan Peoples-Jones. I think Michigan State will have a tough time establishing a running game, and I would predict that Lewerke will have trouble scrambling as well. The Spartans will need the Wolverines to self-destruct and turn the ball over excessively to have a shot; I don't see it happening on October 7, 2017 at Ann Arbor. Michigan began the week as a 13.5 point favorite, and as the week progressed the odds went down to be only a 10.5 point favorite. Michigan's defense will again stop the MSU run game, and begin to tame their offense so they will be worn down by the end of the game. Our offense won't be scoring at will, but they will score enough to get the job done.
Michigan 20 Michigan State 0 (Halftime: Michigan 10 MSU 0)
Other Predictions: TheWolverine.com MGoBlog Detroit News MLive Freep ESPN Michigan Daily Lansing State Journal
Best Game Matchups
| Michigan | MSU |
| Bush, Devin | Lewerke, Brian |
| Hurst, Maurice | Allen, Brian |
| Hill, LaVert | Davis, Felton |
| Winovich, Chase | Chewins, Cole |
| Gary, Rashan | Campbell, Luke |
| Hudson, Khaleke | Stewart, Darrell |
| O'Korn, John | Frey, Chris |
