When the Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines square off, the winner of the rushing battle usually will win the game.
This week, it’s an adage as old as Biggie Munn, Frtiz Crisler and Duffy Daugherty. It’s definitely dates back to the eras of Bo Schembechler and George Perles, two tough minded coaches that made trench warfare their hallmark. Interestingly enough, the saying isn’t just cliche, as it’s proven true nearly every year with two noteable exceptions in 2004 and 2007. Those years, the Spartans managed to outrush the Wolverines, but lost in wild, high scoring affairs. It’s been a rarity in the rivalry, as usually, the team that runs the best wins.
During this season’s match up, the rushing game figures to be the biggest story again. The Spartans ground out a fantastic performance against Illinois last week, collecting 269 yards (104 by lead running back Jeremy Langford) and three touchdowns, one of which came on an outstanding run by freshman Delton Williams. All told, the Spartans zapped the will of the Fighting Illini with their punishing offensive line taking over.
Michigan, too, has had their fare share of solid rushing games in 2013, getting 100+ yard outputs out of Fitzgerald Toussaint against Indiana and Connecticut. Unfortunately, most of the Wolverines’ consistent output on the ground still comes from Devin Gardner and the quaterback position. Michigan can still win with this happening (see last year’s game against the Spartans), but on the road this year against a solid defense, they will likely need to get more out of Toussaint and perhaps Derrick Green to control the clock.
Defensively, both the Wolverines and Spartans stop the run quite well. Michigan State is tops in the nation, only allowing 54.9 yards per-game, while Michigan is seventh, allowing just under 100. From that aspect, neither team has faced an opponent quite as good as the other. Against Notre Dame, their best common opponent, the Wolverines rushed for 166 yards while limiting the Fighting Irish to 96. The Spartans rushed for 119 on the road, while keeping Notre Dame to 78. Any way you slice it, the annual “most important statistic” is relatively even this year. That’s how it should be.
The differentiating factor might be quarterback runs. The pressure is heaviest on the Spartan defense to stay at home and limit Gardner’s effectiveness on scrambles, designed runs and broken plays. From an offensive perspective, Michigan State might have to take more chances to let Connor Cook make a few plays with his legs, which he is certainly capable of doing to keep Michigan’s defense honest. The depth of the Spartan ground game with the shifty Langford and bruising Williams could be an advantage, but nothing is ever certain in this game, where the unexpected is expected.
Regardless, want an early idea of who will win Satruday’s game? Watch the ground for the answer. The more things change around college football, the more some stay the same in this rivalry. Munn, Crisler, Daugherty, Schembechler and Perles would all be proud.
Laugh Of The Week: While Michigan State was punishing Illinois on the road, it was hard not to think back to the previous week. Many people wondered if the Spartans would be ripe for Illini picking prior to Michigan week. Others actually picked Illinois, a team which has not won a Big Ten game in two years, to win. Not happening. Perhaps a little silly wishful thinking from several Spartan haters a week before the big game?
Local Big Ten This Week:
Michigan at Michigan State
Players To Watch:
Michigan: Devin Funchess, TE. As Wolverine receivers go, plenty of people will focus on Jeremy Gallon, however in recent weeks, Funchess has quietly become a top, reliable target for Gardner as well. The receiving tight end had four catches for 84 yards against Indiana, coming off a huge performance against Penn State in which he went for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Funchess could become a match up concern for the Spartans linebackers and safeties, and that will prove especially true if the Wolverines are able to get their running game going.
Michigan State: Wide receivers. Considering the pedestrian output from this group and their hot and cold potential, it will be important for the Spartans’ pass catchers to have a good day. The running game will show up, but Cook must hit open receivers and those receivers must make catches in order for Michigan State to win. The Spartans only had 208 yards passing against the Fighting Illini, and that number could have been higher given the output of the running game. The Spartans will need a few big receiving plays to gain some breathing room against the Wolverines.
Standings Update:
#22 Michigan State 7-1 (4-0 Big Ten Legends)
#21 Michigan 6-1 (2-1 Big Ten Legends)
Max DeMara is a senior editor at The Detroit Sports Site. You can find him on Twitter @SportsGuyTheMax