Michigan State Football: Wolverines expert talks big rivalry

We got a chance to catch up with GBM Wolverine‘s site editor Tyler Fenwick to ask him a couple of questions about the Michigan State vs Michigan matchup on Saturday in Ann Arbor.

Thinking of the best things to ask him, we came up with five inquiries about what he, and the rest of Wolverine nation, thinks about the big game. Will Michigan State football step up to the test?

1) Besides defense, what’s the one thing MSU should be worried about Saturday?

I want to say you should look out for a steady ground-and-pound style of football, but that’s too easy. So I’ll say special teams. Michigan has seen a night and day difference in every facet of special teams, and it’s a big difference. Just last week we saw Jehu Chesson return the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown and set the tone early in the Wolverines’ biggest game to that point. But it’s more than the potential explosiveness.

Jabrill Peppers is a rock as a punt returner (even if he’s more of a punt fair-catcher); Blake O’Neill is one of the best punters in the country; Kenny Allen is perfect inside 40 yards; and—best of all—Michigan fields 11 men instead of 10. I’m not going to say this game comes down to special teams, but Michigan’s got solid units that won’t hurt its chances.

2) What is the feeling like for Michigan right now? Are they thinking sure win or tough game?

I’m seeing a balanced mix among fans of both mindsets. There are some looking at how Michigan’s been playing for the last month and see a Michigan State team that’s struggling more than expected. Pair two and two, and they think this is a breeze. I’m not one of those people. I’ll agree that the Spartans have had some concerning games, but they’re by no means a bad team, and I’d be utterly shocked if Mark Dantonio doesn’t have his guys up and ready for this game.

As for the team itself, I really hope there’s never a game where things get blown off as being not serious enough for its full attention. Jim Harbaugh is a guy who obviously understands this rivalry very well, and I highly doubt he had trouble relaying that to his team throughout the week.

3) Give me two players who will be the most important for Michigan on Saturday and why.

The most important player for Michigan will be Jake Rudock. He’s going to need to make a few plays if he wants to fend off Michigan State. I’m not necessarily saying he needs to connect on multiple deep shots, but needs to at least give the illusion that he’s comfortable taking those shots. Northwestern gave him everything he wanted underneath, but there’s no way Michigan State is doing that. Intermediate passes are going to have to be a big part of Michigan’s offense at times.

A close second is Jourdan Lewis, who’s having one of the best seasons of any cornerback in the country. He’ll be going up against Aaron Burbridge, who’s having an incredible season himself. It’s no secret that Connor Cook wants to find Burbridge, but he’ll have to make those connections around a true shutdown corner. If Lewis can dampen that, it’s going to put a bind on the Spartans’ offense.

4) Do you still view MSU as little brother?

Never have and never will. Mike Hart has admitted that he shouldn’t have said that, and Michigan State ripped off six straight wins after that comment, so… yeah. I do think there’s a perception among Michigan fans that Michigan State fans have the little brother “mindset,” but it’s never something I’ve taken seriously. Both sets have fans have a few factions that give the whole bunch a bad rap. And that’s true for every team.

5) Final prediction:

I’ll take Michigan, 28-10. I think things are clicking right now for the Wolverines, and I’d honestly have a hard time picking anyone over Michigan.

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