WingsNWolverines

October 27th, 2013 at 1:54 PM ^

On RCMB and a lot of them don't feel confident in this game and Funchess name was brought up a ton. I think the chances are in our favor especially if we go to the air. They sound like they don't have a ton of confidence in their safeties vs Gallon and Funchess and I agree with the one user who said Gardner will hit big plays. We need to go up on them early and widen the lead in the 1st half. Can't be playing behind at 7-3 or 14-3 BS we need to be up on them 7-3 or 14-3 going into that 2nd quarter. If we beat them offensively they won't be able to over take our lead. Out offense over matches them. I say Borges should go air game on 1st down and make it 65 to 75% of our attack on offense. Can't use the run all game long especially with this D. http://michiganstate.247sports.com/Board/93/Whens-the-last-time-you-wer…



Some interesting comments worth reading from a few people. Disregard the homers

WolverineFanatic6

October 28th, 2013 at 5:30 AM ^

I agree about 1st down aggressiveness but I would make sure the initial several first down throws are extremely high % throws bc we do not want an early turnover and also do not want 2nd and 10+ all day either.



Borges needs to call his best game this year!

chewieblue

October 27th, 2013 at 2:03 PM ^

How anyone could watch us play and then watch Sparty's defense, and still think we should be favored at East Lansing, is beyond me.  It will take a major defensive effort and a mistake free offensive game (I know, lol) to win up there.

BlueHills

October 27th, 2013 at 2:13 PM ^

It's hard to predict the outcome of this game. 

In the end, neither of these flawed teams is capable of beating an OSU, let alone winning a Rose Bowl against a Stanford or Oregon.

Rationalize it any way you like, bring in all the statistics you have, but the eyeballs don't lie. 

Neither team is championship caliber.

Wolverine Devotee

October 27th, 2013 at 2:39 PM ^

Haven't you got it by now? You can throw stats and records out the window in The Game.

Unless one team is really really bad, both teams usually play their hearts out. 

Just to name some unexpected games: 1987, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2004, 2011. 

One team was supossed to blow the other away, and it didn't happen in those games mentioned above.

WolverineFanatic6

October 27th, 2013 at 3:17 PM ^

This staffs road record is why the sharps have already pushed the line. I expect it to be right around 5.5-6 at kickoff.

Cold War

October 27th, 2013 at 4:12 PM ^

The line is reasonable. I'm concerned about  our suspect interior line and a quarterback who has been turnover prone going up against that  defense. And don't underestimate how hostile that environment will be.

My guess is Sparty scores maybe once off a turnover. The game is pretty close until a clinching score late. Sparty, maybe 27-17.

The good  news is I'm crappy at this prognosis stuff.

gwkrlghl

October 27th, 2013 at 4:29 PM ^

Some weeks Al Borges looks like a genius, some like an idiot. Some weeks MSU scored 40 points and another week they barely score on offense at home vs Purdue.

Would surprise me if the final score was 31-14 either way

Njia

October 27th, 2013 at 4:30 PM ^

Is to shit the bed on the road, even against unwatchable teams. Of course, I want U-M to win, but if the same bunch who showed up in CT or PA play this Saturday, they may as well mail it in.

BILG

October 27th, 2013 at 9:05 PM ^

It will take a program defining performance for Michigan to win this game...I know, sounds like insane hyperbole, but we haven't won a road game against a ranked team in Hoke's tenure.  The talent is there, albeit young, but the question remains at what point we will see it all come together.  If you are willing to bet that this is the precise week this team and Hoke's system gels to become a unit capable of beating a solid opponent and rival on the road, then so be it.  But if you believe in trends as a predictor, all signs point to us being a good year away from winning a game like this.  Akron and Uconn exposed this team as inconsistent and flawed, and PSU and road losses to inferior opponents over the last 2+ years have exposed this staff and program as not complete or ready for tough environments.  Playing our equal on the road?....Not a good bet.

hfhmilkman

October 27th, 2013 at 9:24 PM ^

Overlooked are long term trends.  What has remained the same.  MSU's defense has been excelent in all of their games.  Because of their conisistancy it is reasonable to presume that they will play well.  The offense though less consistant has made improvments.  The running has improved from impossibly bad to decent.  The QB has been inconsistant but is certainly playing better.

UM on the other hand has not been able to run at anyone.  Even IU was able to keep the power runs under wraps.  I believe it is reasonable to predict that any power running against even 7 man boxes perhaps even 6 will fair terribly.   The defense has been bend but don't break, but has allowed numerous big plays and has been unable to generate a pass rush with a generic rush.

The home team gets some points because there will be critical plays where the offense will need to check out of a play and communication will be difficult.  Also the other team will be amped up and energized.  I think if we had any kind of running game, we would have a chance.  I do not believe we have to outrush MSU, but it has to be something.   My concern is even if Gallon & Funches are matchup problems, the fact that we are one dimensional allows MSU to blitz like crazy.   I believe Gardner will have to play the game of his life similar to what happened against ND.  Except now he has to do it on the road.

 

 

WolverineFanatic6

October 28th, 2013 at 5:26 AM ^

We are the example of inconsistency. Just bc we looked better vs Indiana does not mean that same team will show up in EL, especially considering Brady's record vs winning teams on the road.



As much as I hate to say it this game is on the coaches shoulders. We have the better And more experienced QB to go with a solid number of playmakers. Defensively we defend man ball a lot better then the spread so I expect us to keep it close. It is gonna come down to who coaches to win and who puts their players in the best position to succeed. That means winning first down and keeping them honest by throwing from multiple formations early in drives. We have to establish some sort of running game to help our young Oline out in shorter yardage passing situations a la 3rd and 3-4. Biggest key to victory is making sure we don't turn the ball over and making sure our special teams doesn't routinely allow them better field position.



MonkeyMan

October 27th, 2013 at 9:38 PM ^

UM can beat MSU. But UM is more worried about Sparty's D-line than vice versa. Both sides can turn it over, but UM is far more predictable in that department unfortumately. I see this game as a referendum on Hoke as a credible head coach. If he loses this then I think many will lose faith in him.

BILG

October 27th, 2013 at 10:46 PM ^

Referendum on Hoke is a bit of a reach IMO.  Indeed the reactionaries will be out if full force, but Hoke's most talented recruits (specifically o-line) have yet to mature.  I agree this is not an excuse being in year 3 of his tenure, but it is unfortunately the reality.  I think a loss here will further the meme of good recruiter, average at best game day coach.  I believe guaging how this staff develops talent is really still up in the air.

Finance-PhD

October 28th, 2013 at 8:32 AM ^

I would expect them to get better through the year. Alabama lost 3 of their OL and put brand new guys in and struggled in the first game against VT. Now that line is working well even when they had to replace the current starting center with a backup for three games due to an injury. Come LSU, Auburn, SEC championship that line will look completely different than the one that played VT.



That should be the expectation. Barring tons of injuries the team should e getting better and better.