Michigan @ MSU: Best Game, Best Unit Matchup, and Best Coordinator Chess Match
As chosen by Rivals' thoroughly scientific process (/s). But seriously, it's always cool to see any Michigan game getting national hype.
Best game: Michigan at Michigan State, noon, ESPN. Michigan makes the short drive to East Lansing to put its unbeaten record on the line against the Spartans (4-1) in a bitter in-state rivalry. Michigan State has won three in a row in the series. The Spartans have held four of their five opponents to seven or fewer points, but they face a tremendous challenge in trying to contain explosive Wolverines QB Denard Robinson and a Michigan offense that has exceeded 30 points four times.
Best unit matchup of the week: Michigan offensive line vs. Michigan State defensive line. Michigan State leads the nation in total defense and is third nationally in run defense. Michigan's offensive line has done a nice job controlling the line of scrimmage and that has to continue against the Spartans. Wolverines QB Denard Robinson certainly can scramble, but he would much rather run when he wants to rather than when he has to. Michigan's line has allowed a nation's-low two sacks, and TBs Fitzgerald Toussaint and Vincent Smith have been effective runners. The Spartans' front needs to clog up the middle Saturday.
Best coordinator chess match: Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges vs. Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi. The Spartans have surprised many by playing some of the best defense in the nation under Narduzzi. But Narduzzi will have to have his troops in top form facing Borges' attack, which is led by Denard Robinson. Borges is slowly opening the playbook and expanding the options for Robinson. The winning coordinator's team will have a big leg up in the Big Ten Legends Division race.
Link: http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1276816
October 11th, 2011 at 3:39 AM ^
Tremendous!
October 11th, 2011 at 5:49 AM ^
That cross throw is a thing of beauty.
October 11th, 2011 at 6:28 AM ^
They talk about Crete-Monee's Standifer, and Treadwell...
They were most impressed with Treadwell, and after watching his highlights I too was extremely impressed. He reminded them of Braylon Edwards, but I don't think he has quite the speed of Braylon. I think he is more like Junior Hemmingway myself, but the kid can catch. He gets the ball at its highest point and has the body to destroy DB's.
Standifer was a little less impressive to me. He seems to take a few plays off and got burned badly on one route, because he "thought they were going to run the ball". It was about a 70 yard TD. He does have a nice break on the ball and he has good hips, he just needs to keep his head in the game. Also, when they were playing a zone he picked it off and took it 76 yards to the house. I think with Mallory coaching him up, he will be a very good corner by his redshirt junior year (VERY SKINNY).
The coaches need to pull the trigger on an offer for Treadwell, the kid has potential to be All B1G.
October 11th, 2011 at 7:42 AM ^
perhaps start your own thread or add to something other than the first place you see the word "Rivals"?
October 11th, 2011 at 7:39 AM ^
but they face a tremendous challenge
October 11th, 2011 at 8:25 AM ^
is not that far behind MSU's. Granted, our D has traveled a long way on inspired play-making, but it has gotten tougher and more confident as the season progressed.
I think that the quality of the hitting and the struggle in the trenches will be difference-makers. Are we tough yet? State, like most uninspired bullies, will want to bloody some mouths early. If Michigan stands tough, and our boys will. . . look for a dispirited MSU D to throw in the towel late in the third quarter. By then Cousins will be furtively consulting his Dale Carnegie in the some corner where he thinks the TV cameras can't penetrate, but it'll be too late.
October 11th, 2011 at 9:07 AM ^
stating the obvious, but it will most likely come down to a tale of turnovers (hopefully the lack of them).
we control that aspect of the game by easy throws and taking what the d gives to us and i think we are in like Flynn
October 11th, 2011 at 9:07 AM ^
stating the obvious, but it will most likely come down to a tale of turnovers (hopefully the lack of them).
we control that aspect of the game by easy throws and taking what the d gives to us and i think we are in like Flynn
October 11th, 2011 at 11:04 AM ^
I'd like to thank the academy and my mom. Thank you and good day
October 11th, 2011 at 1:13 PM ^
I'm sick of hearing that MSU has the #1 yardage defense in the country. Why have they posted those kinds of numbers? Let's see who they played: a 2-3 FCS team Youngstown State (though they are putting up 450 yards/game against FCS teams), Florida Atlantic (0-5, #118 yardage offense), CMU (2-4, #87 yardage offense), and Ohio (3-3, #103 yardage offense). Their only loss is to the only team they've played with a top-85 offense in Notre Dame (#20 yardage offense), and though they did hold ND under their season average, did anyone think that ND struggled to move the ball on offense?
Edit: Some context, in the form of yardage offenses of Michigan's opponents: WMU #42, EMU #117, SDSU #62, Minnesota #108, Northwestern #70. Not exactly a murderer's row, but a marked upgrade from MSU's opponents.
October 11th, 2011 at 1:38 PM ^
Agree. Plus, the #70 for NW is misleading. If Persa plays all 6 games, they are certainly a top 50 offense.
October 11th, 2011 at 2:40 PM ^
It'll be interesting to see how MSU's defense matches up against Michigan's offense. However, the other side of the ball should be what gives Michigan the edge. Although Michigan's defense could be a little overrated, they should be able to generate a pass rush against MSU's tire-fire at offensive line. They also haven't shown much consistency running the ball against non-squishies.
In all likelihood, MSU will have to rely on their defense playing lights-out to win a low-scoring affair. I think Michigan's offense is too potent for that.