Michigan State Preview 2018
#6 Michigan, 6-1, travels to East Lansing to battle arch-rival, #24 Michigan State, 4-2, for a 12 Noon kickoff on October 20; the Wolverines are favored by 7 points. The weather prediction for October 20 includes rain showers and winds from the west/northwest at 21 mph, and temperatures in the mid-40s. Michigan leads the series, 69-36-5, but has lost 8 of the last 10 games by total scoring of 261-166 including last season, 10-14. Michigan leads the series at Spartan Stadium, 18-14-1; the Wolverines also lead the games played at East Lansing, 20-14-2. 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 36-27-2. Since 1950, Michigan holds a 36-30-2 advantage in the rivalry. Mark Dantonio is 8-3 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 1-2 against Dantonio; he broke his arm in the 1984 Spartan game. Michigan Offensive Line Coach Ed Warinner and Mark Dantonio were roommates when they coached at Michigan State, 1985-1986; Warinner's son, Edward, is a Freshman Linebacker on the Spartan squad. The last time the Wolverines shut out the Spartans was 2000 in a 14-0 victory; 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.
Can the Wolverines stop Felton Davis???
On offense, the Spartans are led by Junior Quarterback Brian Lewerke; he is 135 for 225 this season for 8 TDs with 7 interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 124.76, and is their Offensive Captain. The Spartans rank 11th in the Big Ten in 3rd down conversions, and 8th in first downs. His favorite target is Senior Felton Davis with 31 receptions and 4 TDs so far. Sophomore Cody White has 20 receptions, and Junior Darrell Stewart has 15, and Senior Slot Brandon Cowards has 9; Sophomores Cam Chambers and Laress Nelson are other targets, but Chamber injured his thumb against Penn State. Tight End Matt Sokol has 4 receptions; Sophomore Backup Matt Dotson has 5, and Senior Chase Gianacakos is also a solid blocking Tight End. Stewart has an ankle injury, and White has a broken hand; Nailor missed the last 3 games with injuries and disciplinary issues. The Spartans run the ball with powerful Senior L.J. Scott, Connor Heyward, and Freshman La'Darius Jefferson giving them a solid 1-2-3 punch; the 3 backs have accounted for over 500 yards and 5 TDs so far this season. Scott has been slowed with a hamstring injury. Redshirt Freshman Weston Bridges could also play. H-Back Collin Lucas has also been slowed by injury. This group has 11 fumbles, but lost only 3. In the Spartans two losses, both Arizona State and Northwestern held the Michigan State rushing attack to under 100 yards, can Michigan do the same? Their offensive line is young, and has gone through injury problems so far; however, they are led by Sophomore Center Matt Allen with Junior Left Guard Tyler Higby, and Right Guards Sophomore Kevin Jarvis and Redshirt Freshman Blake Bueter. Jarvis has been nursing an ankle injury. The tackles are Junior Cole Chewins on the Left side and Sophomore Jordan Reid on the Right side. David Beedle has an arm injury and won't play until November; Luke Campbell is also out due to injury. The Spartans rank 9th in the conference in total offense, 13th in rushing offense, 8th in scoring offense, 6th in red zone offense, 11th in 3rd down conversions, 8th in first downs, and 4th in passing offense. If Michigan can pressure Lewerke, it could undo their dangerous passing attack; it will be difficult for our corners and safeties to stay with their receivers. If the Wolverines can create takeaways defensively, this could be the key to a win at East Lansing.
Spartan Captain Joe Bachie
On Defense, the Spartans leading tacklers are Junior MIKE Linebacker and Captain Joe Bachie, Junior Cornerback Justin Layne, and WILL (STAR) Linebacker, Andrew Dowell; Senior Strong Safety Khari Willis is Co-Defensive Captain. Junior David Dowell is the Free Safety, and Brandon Bouyer-Randle and Tyriq Thompson share the SAM Linebacker position; Josh Butler is the other Cornerback. They are fast and mobile defensively, and are the #1 defense in the conference against the run along with the 3rd ranked red zone defense. One thing for sure, they will not let Patterson execute the read option run around end; Dantonio will prepare the team to stop that. Their defensive line is anchored by Junior Nose Tackle Raequan Williams; Junior Mike Panasiuk is the other Tackle, and Junior Kenny Willekes and Sophomore Jacub Panasiuk are the ends. Note they have two brother tandems leading their defense. Senior Matt Morrissey will see a lot of action backing up Willis, and Sophomore Ann Arborite Antjuan Simmons also will play extensively backing up Dowell at the STAR position. Sophomore Naquan Jones backs up Williams at the Nose. Mufi Hill-Hunt has been injured. Sophomore Tre Person backs up Butler at Corner as Sophomore Josiah Scott has been injured. 5th Year Seniors Jon Reschke and Byron Bullough are also linebacker in reserve. The Spartans are strong against the run, but their weakness in 2018 has been in cover; they are 13th in the conference in passing yards allowed. In the 2017 game, Bachie and Willis led the Spartan defense with 10 tackles each, Andrew Dowell and Willekes had 9 each, and both Bachie and Layne forced fumbles while David Dowell picked off two passes with Bachie also gaining an interception.
The Dowell Brothers: Andrew and David
On special teams, Redshirt Freshman Matt Coughlin handles field goals; he is 8 of 8, but has no attempts from 50 so his distance is limited. Freshman Tyler Hunt is their punter after the injury to Senior Jake Hartbarger; Hunt has 25 boots with 11 downed inside the 20, but only a 39.48 yard average, and the Spartans are 11th in the conference in net punting. Cole Hahn handles kickoffs; he has a 60 yard average with 33 attempts with 18 touchbacks, and the Spartans are ranked 4th in the conference in kickoff return defense. The wind could be a strong factor at the end of this game on special teams. Brandon Sowards handles punt returns with an 8 yard per return average; Connor Heyward handles kickoffs with a 20.43 yard average; neither unit has scored a touchdown in 2018.
Spartan Nose Tackle Raequan Williams--Can Cesar Ruiz handle him?
In last year's tilt, Michigan State outgained Michigan on the ground, 158 to 102; in 43 of the last 48 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 so will Michigan. The team who is the most efficient in their passing attack will have the best advantage to win this game. Michigan self-destructed in the 2017 game with the Spartans gaining 7 points off 5 Wolverine turnovers; don't expect that to happen in 2018, but defeating the Spartans at East Lansing won't be easy. If the Spartans win this one, they have Ohio State at home on November 10 for their ticket to the Big Ten Championship game on December 1 vs. Wisconsin. If Michigan does have the lead late in the 4th quarter, will they be able to run out the clock on the Spartans unlike Penn State?
Can Shea Patterson elude the pass rush of Kenny Wilekes?
Spartan Captain Khari Willis
Prediction: Michigan 17 Michigan State 14
The Panasiuk Brothers: Mike and Jacub
Other Predictions: MGoBlog ESPN Michigan Daily MLIVE Detroit News Detroit Free Press TouchTheBanner Lansing State Journal TheWolverine.com
Best Game Matchups
| Michigan | MSU |
| Bush, Devin | Lewerke, Brian |
| Patterson, Shea | Bachie, Joe |
| Hill, LaVert | Davis, Felton |
| Winovich, Chase | Chewins, Cole |
| Ross, James | Heyward, Connor/Scott, L.J. |
| Higdon, Karan | Dowell, Andrew |
Gentry, Zach Ruiz, Cesar |
Willis, Khari Williams, Raequan |
