Next on the menu? Filet Sparty.
Michigan fans will be lining up for seconds and thirds and so on as the Wolverines (should) will feast on Michigan State in East Lansing on Saturday night. Don’t expect Michigan to take a knee at any point, instead they will keep their foot on the gas until the finish line or at least until the food is all gone.
This rivalry is often one of those throw-out-the-records game but this is not one of those years. Michigan is clearly the better team in every phase of the game and really has yet to hit its stride despite the blowout wins. The defense has given up double digits only once – and that was 10 points against Minnesota with seven coming on a 35-yard pass play with 6 seconds left in the first half.
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But even despite the 7-0 start and four straight wins in the Big Ten, Michigan still has a lot to prove at least to some. Most people south of the Michigan border aren’t sold that they are the second best team in the country. They have yet to play a strong opponent – sorry, UNLV doesn’t count – and have not been challenged.
Ohio State, in comparison, has knocked off Notre Dame and Maryland – not exactly Georgia and Alabama, but certainly better than East Carolina and Bowling Green. The Wolverines did win two road games before returning to the Big House for a rainy 52-7 win over the Hoosiers on Saturday.
Slow starts have been concerning to some U-M fans. The Wolverines fell behind 7-0 to both Indiana and Rutgers but quickly responded in both games.
So, it’s on to East Lansing.
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The Wolverines have averaged 49.7 points in its last three games while the Spartans have allowed 31.25 points over their last four games – all losses. So Michigan should score 80.95 points against MSU – wait, that’s now how that works. Well, something to aim for anyway.
Michigan State interim head coach Harlon Barnett is running the program which has been in turmoil from almost the opening kick of the season. But sometimes that, along with a rivalry game, can bring a team together. We will see.
MSU is fresh off a 27-24 loss to Rutgers, a team the Wolverines crushed 31-7 on Sept. 23. The Spartans blew an 18-point fourth-quarter lead.
Barnett had this to say about the Wolverines: “They’re very disciplined in what they do –offense, defense and special teams. They play hard, they have a good passing game as well as running game – they’ve got a good balance. And they just do a good job of coaching those guys up and putting them in a position to make plays. They’re a good football team.”
Michigan Coach Jim Harbaugh said all the right things about MSU but saved his best for his starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy: “I think J.J. will be the quarterback that all future quarterbacks (at U-M) are compared to. (He) is on the path to be the best quarterback in Michigan history.”
History continues on Saturday in East Lansing.
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WLAA-D GAME ACTION PHOTO GALLERY
