Victory 4 MSU

35-14

I was there. The final score was 35-21, but everyone knows we won by three touchdowns. From the moment Blair White broke that tackle I knew the Spartans would prevail, but those folks in Ann Arbor tried their hardest. The replay official even got in on the action, scoring 7 points for his beloved alma mater. Now wolverines everywhere think they can score a touchdown just by looking at a pylon. Maybe the field crew at Spartan Stadium should use something else to demarcate the endzone, just in case.

The funny thing is that the “cheaters and best” believe they are the rightful owners of the Paul Bunyan trophy; that it is only in East Lansing temporarily and will quickly be returned to Ann Arbor. To turn a clever little jab against them:

Oh weasel, no.

You read that correctly. From Sir David Attenborough:

2009

How quickly the arrogance has returned. Some might say it never left, with Michigan fans coming up with clever retorts to our victory such as “So what! You beat our worst team EVER!!!” or “We still have better academics!!!” I never thought that simply proclaiming your team was horrible was a very good comeback. And… I thought we were talking about football? Claiming mental superiority is the retaliation of a simple mind. “Oh yeah, well you’re dumb!” Ouch. What is this second grade? Please excuse me while I go cry in my bedroom for you have devastated me with your wittiness.

So now, in 2009, Michigan has a 4-0 record! Good for them. They’re ranked!! Great. They’re Back!!! Not quite. True, they have found ways to win when the Spartans have not, but to claim they are back in the hunt for a Big Ten championship is laughable. If that were the case, then WATCH OUT BIG TEN, HERE COMES INDIANA! Right.

Sure, Tate Forcier has made some great plays for a true freshman, but the praise he is receiving is a bit ridiculous. His first game against a hapless Western Michigan, the commentator stated “A star is born!” after he threw a touchdown pass. A couple of games later he is referenced as “The legend!”. I’m sorry, but the legend? Seriously? This kid has played in four games. All at home. Against Western, Notre Dame, Eastern and Indiana. I just hope I can finish writing this article before he is inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

I think Tate (and the rest of his team) may be in for a rude awakening in East Lansing. The wolverines are not as good as many think. The Spartans are not as bad as many (myself included at times) think. Yes we blew a game against CMU by not showing up, we then lost in the final seconds at Notre Dame and were soundly beaten at Wisconsin. Is this really a sub-.500 team? I don’t think so. Two plays and we are 3-1. I know talk is cheap and that isn’t what happened, but this team is not as bad as some “fans” believe.

With our schedule, the wolverines would be 2-2 at best. I think they are a .500 team. A blown call against Indiana saved the day last week, and Notre Dame was driving to seal a win when the clock mysteriously ran out. I honestly think they will end at 6-6 and the Spartans will be 7-5.

Either way, the records rarely matter in this game. Any true freshman quarterback will receive a shock playing his first game away from home at a bitter rival. Even Tate “I don’t get nervous” Forcier.

The Matchups

Since this is so last-minute, I’m going to simplify things and keep it (very) short:

UM Offense vs MSU Defense

Michigan’s offense relies heavily on the ground game and spreading things out. Our defense had been stout against the run up until last week when Wisconsin basically ran at will. I don’t think UM’s O-line will be as dominant as Wiscy’s but it may be a long day if Minor, Brown or Robinson are able to consistently find space. True freshman Blake Treadwell may be brought in to help with run support. Forcier is a slippery QB who can make a big play, but also takes big risks with the ball. The MSU defense has to create turnovers and take advantage of Tate’s inexperience. Forcing the wolverines to pass is essential to victory on Saturday. I do not think UM can win going through the air, no matter how bad our defensive backs have looked.

I think UM will be able to put up some points, and make a few big plays on the ground. Our defense will tighten as the game goes on.

Advantage: UM

MSU Offense vs UM Defense

The Michigan defense is actually worse than the Spartan defense, and that is saying quite a lot. They are unable to stop the ground attack, so this may be the game where Winston and/or Caper break out. Having Nitchman and Foreman back on the O-line will certainly help as well. While we have been struggling on the ground, our pass attack is tops in the Big Ten by a wide margin. If the coaches can stick with one quarterback for an entire game (asking a lot, I know), the passing game could be downright deadly. MSU will be able to score in bunches against this defense, so this game may be decided in a shootout, unfortunately.

Advantage: MSU

Special Teams

I don’t know much about UM’s special teams. I know they have a great punter, and I know their kicker is not Brett Swenson. Our special teams have been great besides kickoff coverage, which is unfortunate. Having to stop a team on their own 20 is much easier than from their 40. It puts our defense at a disadvantage right from the start.

Advantage: Even

Prediction

It happens all the time. Everyone says it will be a shootout, and the game is a defensive grind, or vice versa. I actually think it will be high scoring however. The game will be very evenly matched, but I think the physicality of MSU will prevail, along with the home field advantage.

34-31 MSU

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Tags: Michigan Wolverines

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