Michigan State Preview 2013

Michigan travels to East Lansing where they have not won since 2007. Michigan leads the series, 68-32-5, but are just 19-12-2 in East Lansing and 17-12-1 at Spartan Stadium. The two teams didn't truly begin playing a home and home series until 1958. Mark Dantonio is 4-2 against the Wolverines and Brady Hoke is 1-1 against the Spartans. Michigan is ranked #23 nationally by AP with a 6-1 record with an overtime loss to Penn State on the road while #24 Michigan State is 7-1 with their only loss to Notre Dame, 17-13, also on the road.

On offense, Quarterback Connor Cook has won the starting job for the Spartans; he has thrown for 1030 yards, 9 TDs and been picked twice, and has run for 130 yards in 36 attempts. His targets are Senior Bennie Fowler, Junior Tony Lippett, and Sophomore MacGarrett Kings along with reserves, Sophomores Aaron Burbridge and Andre Sims plus Junior Keith Mumphrey. They are talented receivers, and will put pressure on our defensive backfield especially if we are unable to pressure Cook. Our defensive line must create hurries and sacks, and our linebackers must contain Cook on scrambles if we are to be successful defensively. His backup is 5th Year Senior, Andrew Maxwell. When the Spartans run the ball, look for Junior tailback, Jeremy Langford, to carry the load; he averages 78.7 yards per game with 7 TDs. Junior Nick Hill is his backup, and R.J. Shelton could see action. The Spartan offensive line has 3 fifth year seniors anchoring the trenches with Blake Treadwell at Left Guard, Dan France at Right Guard, and Fou Fonoti at Right Tackle. The Left Tackle is Redshirt Freshman, Jack Conklin, and the Center is Sophomore Jack Allen. The Spartans lead the league in time of possession with over 34 minutes per game, and are ranked #4 nationally in pass protection. In last season's 12-10 win over the Spartans, Jake Ryan, Desmond Morgan, and Ramon Taylor had big defensive games for the Wolverines while holding LeVeon Bell to only 68 yards on the ground.

On defense, the Spartans are led by Senior Linebackers, Max Bullough at MIKE and Denicos Allen at SAM; in the 2012 game, Allen had 11 tackles and Bullough had 10 for the Spartans against Michigan. Junior Taiwan Jones in their STAR (WILL) Inside Linebacker. Senior Jairus Jones and Sophomore Ed Davis will also see action. Up front, Michigan State is anchored at Nose Tackle and Tackle by 5th Year Seniors Micjah Reynolds and Tyler Hoover. Junior Marcus Rush and Sophomore Shilique Calhoun are the defensive ends. Calhoun has an incredible 15 quarterback hits so far in 7 games. Senior Denzel Drone and Sophomores Damon Knox and Mark Scarpinato will also see action. In the backfield, they are led by Seniors Darqueze Dennard at Boundry Cornerback and Isaiah Lewis at strong safety; Junior Kurtis Drummond is the free safety, and Sophomore Trae Waynes is the Field Cornerback. Allen and Drummond lead the team in tackles. Two of the best game matchups will be between Taylor Lewan and Shilique Calhoun, and Jeremy Gallon and Darqueze Dennard. The Spartans lead the league in scoring, rushing, passing, and total defense holding opponents to a measly 228 yards per game, 59 on the ground, and less than 14 points per game while limiting their opponents to 13 first downs and a 3rd down conversion percentage over less than 28%. They are tied with Ohio State for best turnover margin in the conference. Michigan's "revamped" offensive line will struggle against this group with its run game, and they'll have to use other receivers because the Spartans plan to make Gallon a non-factor in this one. Funchess, Chesson, Jackson and Dileo must have their best games if we are to prevail in East Lansing. In 101 possessions this season against the Spartan defense, 8 teams have been forced into 48 "3 and outs." They are ranked 3rd nationally in 3 and outs, and first in defensive scores with 5 TDs.

On special teams, Michigan State has combined for 10 of 13 with field goal kickers, Senior Kevin Muma and Freshman Michael Geiger; Geiger handles the long attempts. Junior Mike Sadler is one of the best in the conference, and avergages 42.8 yards per boot with 18 of 41 punts downed inside the 20. Muma averages 63.4 yards on kickoffs with 21 touchbacks in 38 kicks. Nick Hill and Andrew Sims field kickoffs and punt returns with MacGarrett Kings as another deep threat. The Spartans continue the lead the league in penalties averaging nearly 70 yards per game; one can be sure that they'll exceed 100 yards like they usually do in this rivalry playing "rough and dirty" Pat Narduzzi football. Some Michigan players have characterized this battle as a "street fight."

Year	Penalties-MSU	Yards-MSU	Penalties-UM	Yards-UM
2012	7	50	6	55
2011	13	124	5	40
2010	6	65	3	35
2009	8	94	2	15
2008	7	52	7	70
2007 (Dantonio era)	9	71	4	45
2006	11	87	3	25
2005	5	27	2	7
2004	14	123	7	74
2003(John L. Smith era)	7	75	4	29
2002	6	71	4	35
2001	2	25	7	76
2000 (Bobby Williams era)	7	60	5	30
1999 (Slick Nick Saban era)	5	39	6	41
14 Years	107	963	65	577
Average	8	69	5	41

There is no doubt that the running game is critical to both teams. In the last 43 games, the team who had the most rushing yardage won 40 times; last year, the Wolverines held LeVeon Bell in check and outgained the Spartans, 163-112. Both teams will be "geared up" to stop each other's run, as always. Expect a lot of defense, and punting throughout the day in a field position battle. The turnover battle is so critical, and the Spartans have the edge there especially if they can force Gardner into mistakes. Michigan's best chance to win is by taking a 1st quarter lead by two scores, and forcing the Spratans into early offensive mistakes. The Spartans are not as effective when they have to come from behind as exemplified in their loss to Notre Dame. Early Wolverine turnovers spell doom in this affair. The Wolverines have the firepower to come from behind on most teams, but not the Spartan defense at home. Darqueze Dennard blankets Jeremy Gallon, and the Spartans squeeze out a win at home on their way to a Legends Division title.

Michigan 16 Michigan State 17 Michigan

Greg Mattison Press Conference on October 29 Al Borges

Brady Hoke Press Conference on October 28 with Taylor Lewan, Jake Ryan and Mike Schofield Mark Dantonio Press Conference

Game Notes for MSU (MSU Game Notes for Michigan)