College football order has been restored in this state.
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The really scary thing for bettors is Michigan State won the turnover battle in every game prior to Rutgers this past weekend (they were -1 against the Scarlet Knights).
Michigan’s players truly seem to have bought into this mantra about the past being, well, the past, just six days out from their game against the fourth-ranked Spartans. He has done a masterful job with this Michigan team.
A lot of people were predicting the Wolverines to blow out the Spartans before that one as well, but Dantonio’s teams are eight for eight in bringing their best to this game.
Denman got an earful from Wilson after getting beat for a sack on third down in the second quarter and Michigan State consistently generated pressure off the right edge. If not, the Spartans will need a few outside help to win the East Division.
This quote by Spartans senior quarterback Conner Cook is worth noting: “Guys are going to get healthy next week”. Like Urban Meyer’s squad, Mark Dantonio’s team has been a big favorite in five of their first six games.
What Michigan can earn this week is a seat at the grown up’s table.
There’s the three consecutive shutouts that the defense has recorded – the first FBS team to compile such a streak since 1985 – or the fact that the unit hasn’t allowed a single point in 41 straight possessions. Fair or not, those totals will stand out to the committee if it comes to comparing a one-loss MSU with a one-loss Baylor. TCU is four points ahead of Utah. That’s what’s at stake for the Spartans. Obviously, Michigan is going to be charged up.
Those wins are flashy, but beating Michigan State would be a statement. Michigan’s EXPECTED to win, at least by their faithful, who are chomping at the bit.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh says the countdown clocks for Michigan State and Ohio State from Schembechler Hall.
There’s been no comparison between Michigan and MSU over the last seven seasons.
This is a regular feature after every Rutgers game where I take a look at three top performers and three areas in need of improvement. “That isn’t how we want to be”. That won’t win a Big Ten title or impress the playoff committee.
There is a lot of pride at Michigan right now because of the way the football team has performed under Harbaugh – more than at any point since 2006 when the Wolverines started out 11-0.
Michigan State’s ATS run has been even worse.
“It’s a trophy game”, Harbaugh said. Making matters potentially messy is Payton has two years remaining on his contract after the season, so Miami would have to trade for his services.
Michigan has a huge home field advantage. MSU will finish the week with Senior Day against Penn State on Sunday, October 18 at 1 p.m. The game against the Nittany Lions will be televised on the Big Ten Network. There couldn’t be a more flawless union between an elite coach and the team that he grew up around, that he played for, and that he cares so deeply about.
As long as a game is in Michigan Stadium, Michigan will always have a chance.
The Spartans pose the toughest test for the Wolverines until the showdown with OSU at the end of the season.
But this U-M team under coach Jim Harbaugh is not the same.
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Roundtree, now coaching receivers at Colorado State-Pueblo and several years removed from his 2009 freshman season, still bristles at the thought of wearing that color.
