The Michigan Wolverines get a week off on the heels of one of the most epic shootouts in Big 10 history. The Wolverines and the Indiana Hoosiers combined for 110 points and over 1300 yards of total offense last Saturday in a 63-47 Michigan win. Michigan gets a week off to prepare for the Michigan State Spartans, and given how vulnerable they looked on defense against Indiana they'll be thankful for the extra preparation time.
Devin Gardner was 21/29 for 503 yards and two passing touchdowns, and also rushed for 81 yards and three TDs. Wide receiver Jeremy Gallon set an NCAA record with an absurd 369 yards on 14 receptions, and the Wolverines offensive eruption was able to compensate for some lackluster defense.
Michigan State presents an entirely different challenge - the Spartans are by no means an offensive powerhouse, but they've quietly assembled one of the best defensive units in the nation. Linebacker and defensive captain Max Bullough creates havoc all over the field, and will try to limit Devin Gardner's effectiveness on the ground. Darqueze Dennard is a shutdown corner who will no doubt be charged with stopping Jeremy Gallon, and he's light-years ahead of any of the defensive backs who Gallon has gone up against recently.
Defensive end Shilique Calhoun will also be a problem for an inconsistent offensive line that just lost G Joey Burzynski to a season-ending ACL tear. Offensive Coordinator Al Borges promised to mix up his offensive looks while liberally mixing in the spread, but the Wolverines may find themselves in the same position they did against Indiana - relying on the spread because it's the only thing making progress.
To beat the Spartans, Michigan may need to adopt some of the game plan that helped Notre Dame take out Sparty earlier this year. The Fighting Irish went deep time and time again, taking advantage of mistakes in Michigan State's secondary. It wasn't pretty, and the Irish relied on an unprecedented number of pass interference calls, but in the end Notre Dame's deep gambles paid off, and they held off the Spartans for a 17-13 win.
Darqueze Dennard wasn't able to stop the Irish all by himself, and the key to this game for Michigan will be to get receivers other than Gallon involved. TE Devin Funchess and WR Drew Dileo will need to be at their best, and if they can come up with big plays (or draw flags down the field) Michigan will be able to score enough points to win this game. It certainly isn't a risk-free proposition - Devin Gardner's decision-making skills haven't exactly been on point lately, and Michigan State has scored five defensive touchdowns already this season.
Prediction: Michigan kicker Brendan Gibbons gets some delayed redemption for his performance against Penn State as the Wolverines win on a late field goal, 24-21.
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