The Michigan Wolverines head next door to Spartan Stadium to play their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday, October 29th at High Noon ET. The slug-fest will be broadcast on the ESPN Network for your viewing entertainment. The Wolverines are -24.5 point favorites and the game’s total is now at 55.
In last years match-up, the Spartans took full advantage of a botched punt in the waning moments of the game and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Michigan State won 27-23, and headed on to the College Football Playoffs.
#2 Michigan (7-0):
The Wolverine’s offense has outscored the last two teams they’ve met to the tune of 119-8. Furthermore, they are only allowing their opposition the fewest total yards per game in the country and the fewest yards per play in the nation.
Leading the offensive onslaught is freshman quarterback Wilton Speight. Even though Michigan thinks run first, Speight has progressed nicely by completing 114 passes for 1,447 yards with 13 touchdowns and only two picks. The young talent is truly making coach Jim Harbaugh look like there is some truth to him being a quarterback whisperer.
Four Wolverine running backs rotate in and out of the huddle regularly. As a foursome, they have amassed over 1,500 yards on 234 carries and have 16 touchdowns to show for their efforts.
Chris Evans and Karan Higdon both average over eight yards a carry and have nine of those scores. Linebacker Jabril Peppers will also tote the rock on occasion. Coming into this contest, he has 10 carries for over 100 yards and two scores.
Wide receiver Amara Darboh handles the heavy lifting in the receiving department. This year, he has reeled in 30 catches for just under 500 yards and five scores. Tight end Jake Butt is making his presence felt, with 26 catches for 310 yards and four more scores.
Jabrill Peppers leads arguably the countries best defense. He has been an absolute force registering almost 40 tackles, eight for a loss and two sacks. Jordan Lewis and himself are two of 16 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award.
Michigan ranks first in the country against the pass, allowing only 111 yards a game. Finally, the talented unit sits third in the nation against the rush, giving way to only 96 yards a game.
Michigan State (2-5):
There is little doubt in Lansing that the Spartans are having a down year. Michigan State has lost to some mediocre teams over the last four weeks of the 2016 season. They found themselves on the losing end of things against, Indiana, BYU, Northwestern and last week against Maryland by the score of 28-17.
The Spartans quarterback situation is in shambles. Tyler O’Connor was benched after several sub-par performances and replaced by redshirt freshman Brian Lewerke. Lewerke then started against the Wildcats but was ineffective.
Tyler O’connor stepped back in and tossed three scores, but was banged up for the contest against the Terps. All told, the two have combined for 116 completions for over 1,500 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
LJ Scott and Gerald Holmes lead a running attack that is ranked 88th in the country. My, how far the Spartans have fallen. Together, they have toted the rock for just over 700 yards on 149 carries and seven scores.
Four Michigan State wide outs hold their own against schools that don’t have to worry about run support from their secondaries. R.J. Shelton and Donald Corley have reeled in 56 balls for almost 850 yards and six touchdowns. Actually, three of the four receivers have caught multiple touchdowns.
Uncharacteristically, the Spartans can’t stop the opposing run game in 2016. They rank 66th in the country, allowing over 166 yards a game. Against the pass, they aren’t much better. Michigan State also allows opposing quarterbacks to throw for 225 yards a game, which places them at 64th in the nation.
Trends and Notes:
The Wolverines are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
The Spartans are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games.
The Over is 5-0 in the Wolverines last 5 road games.
The Under is 4-1 in the Spartans last 5 games overall.
The Wolverines are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 meetings.
The Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Game Prediction:
The Wolverines are licking their chops for this rivalry game. After last years debacle, they will be coming in to this one fired-up and focused. Mark D’Antonio is coaching through his toughest season since he took over eight years ago. To add injury to insult, he now has to go against a Michigan squad that very well will be playing for the national championship. Unfortunately for Spartan fans, this one could get ugly in a hurry.
The old adage says that you can throw the numbers out the window in a rivalry game such as this. That might not be a good idea for this one. The Wolverines are absolutely loaded this year and that’s bad news for a Spartan team headed in the opposite direction.
The spread now sits at 24.5, up from the 21 the odds-gurus started the week with. Jump on the Wolverines to be up big at halftime by two touchdowns or more. If this line climbs even higher you might not get the chance to keep it at 14 or under for the first half cover.
