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Michigan State has just won a victory against a top-10 team and will face another this week.
The Spartans No. 24 (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten), who had won the tournament at the time. 8 Penn State last week will host Saturday's No. 6 Michigan (6-1, 4-0) Saturday (noon, FOX).
Under coach Mark Dantonio, the state of Michigan dominated the rivalry with eight wins in the last 10 meetings for the first time in the history of the series. The Spartans are looking to expand their series of success and retain the Paul Bunyan Trophy for at least a year. Here are five keys for Michigan State to beat Michigan:
Start fast, increase the pressure on Michigan
Both teams control their own destiny in the Big Ten East division, but Michigan is skyrocketing and looking for a spot in the college football playoffs. Do not get me wrong, it's the biggest game of every year for Michigan State and a Dantonio had a habit of galvanizing his program. And if a defeat would bring the Spartans back to an unbelievably disappointing start to 4-3 in a 10-3 season and bring back most of their talent, there's more pressure on the Wolverines and coach Jim. Harbaugh.
Abandoning eight of the last ten games against Michigan State has not been very supportive of corn and blue and Harbaugh is 1-5 against Michigan State and Ohio State. It's a game that wolverines must have to keep their lofty goals in place.
Michigan State has not set the tone so far since the start of the season and was dominated 24-23 in the first quarter after six games. But if the Spartans could get an early lead in the game and bring the home crowd into the match, the pressure on the Wolverines would increase. For a program that has lost 17 straight games on the road against teams ranked in the top 25 APs, this could be a turning point for the season.
Michigan State vs. Michigan: Screening Report, Prediction
Quarterback Brian Lewerke plays the best game of the season
Lewerke does not need to throw more than 300 meters or run a hundred percent. But his best performance of the season to win the state of Michigan could be winning.
After a season unleashed 2017, Lewerke has not yet taken the step forward expected. He completes 60% of his passes and totals 264.5 yards per game with eight touchdowns, but was eliminated in six games this year and his seven interceptions in total last season's total. He also has two fumbles.
The Michigan State offensive is more dynamic when Lewerke plays with his legs and he will probably have to do it against the Wolverines. And with the traditional Spartans' play on the ground and the start of halfback LJ Scott uncertain again this week because of an injury, Lewerke must pass an effective pass against a Michigan team that leads the country. passing defense at only 129.1 yards allowed per game. .
For Lewerke to be effective, it will also require an offensive line in battle to give it time to launch. The group used six different starting combinations in six games, but, mainly because of injury, had only five players at Penn State.
Forcing Michigan to win in the air
The team that has run the most yards has won 43 of the last 48 meetings of the rivalry. I do not know if Michigan State, which has struggled all year long to run the ball and ranks at 114th rankth in the country just 123.0 yards per game, is able to win this battle this year. But the Spartans must at least keep the totals tight.
This will force the state of Michigan to limit the Michigan attack, as the Wolverines, led by Karan Higdon, have an average of 217.0 yards per game on the ground. However, the Spartans have the fastest defense in the country with only 62.3 yards per game.
Michigan has racked up at least 171 rushing yards in six of its seven games this season. The first win of the season was when the Wolverines totaled 33 races for just 58 yards. It's only their only loss – a 24-17 loss to Notre Dame.
Ole Miss Shea Transfer Patterson has been solid in her first quarterback season against the Wolverines. He has completed 69% of his passes and has 10 touchdowns with just three interceptions, but is only 187.3 yards per game. Patterson has not been forced to lift the Michigan arm and it will be interesting if he finds himself in this position on the road, against the state of Michigan, under conditions less than a year ago. ideal.
That would obviously put the Michigan State pass defense in the foreground and the numbers are not very beautiful. The Spartans rank 117th in the nation in allowed passes allowed per match at 286.3 but this total is a bit misleading. With teams that have largely abandoned the race, Michigan State has faced an average of 42.0 pass attempts per game – the second highest total in the country. The Spartans also allowed only nine touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Michigan State seeks to get the offensive against the stingy Michigan defensive
Felton Davis is not just the shining WR
Michigan State's surprise victory at Penn State was even more impressive as the team did not have five starters in attack. The Spartans have suffered injuries throughout the season and Davis was the only starting catcher since Cody White is indefinitely absent with a broken hand and Darrell Stewart Jr. sits for the second time in three games with an apparent injury to ankle. The key reserve, Jalen Nailor, also missed his third straight game because of an undisclosed injury after an outstanding performance in Indiana.
Davis remains the Spartans' main threat to the receiver and is their biggest threat. He totaled eight catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns at Penn State – including the 25-yard winning score with 19 seconds to play in the fourth quarter – after only having a 12-yard take in first-place half.
By entering the season, Michigan State was arguably the best trio of Big Ten starting receivers, but injuries resulted in rigorous depth testing. It is unclear whether Stewart or Nailor will play this week and there have been other injuries to Penn State. Cam Chambers had his right hand heavily wrapped after suffering a thumb injury and Brandon Sowards, who was forced to play a leading role, was also hit in the second half.
No matter who is healthy enough to play, Michigan State needs more than just Davis players to play the passes. Chambers has amassed eight catches for 137 yards in the past two combined games, while Laress Nelson, who has had a year of redshirt, has a career-high five catches for 60 yards at Penn State and has played a key role in the victory.
Win the battle of the business figure
The essential element of the game was on display last year, while Michigan spat five times (three interceptions, two fumbles) in the rain and Michigan State had no setbacks in its 14- victory. 10 in Ann Arbor.
Michigan State is 66-14 forcing at least two turnovers during Dantonio's tenure. The Spartans have even a margin of progression this season (10 lost, 10 won) and have recovered their first fumble of the year in last week 's victory at Penn State. In the Big Ten, Michigan tied for the lead with only five turnovers on four interceptions and one fumble.
The forecast predicts a 45% chance of rain with winds of 20 miles per hour at the time of the kickoff and the wind chill should plunge into the 30's during the match. The elements will make the task more difficult for both offenses and will give even greater priority to football care.
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