Michigan State Football: 5 reasons Spartans will upset No. 6 Michigan

Michigan State football is facing its biggest matchup with Michigan in the Mark Dantonio era, arguably, and here’s why the Spartans can, and will, win.

Losses to Northwestern and Arizona State have marred the Spartans’ start to the 2018 season. Michigan State has the talent, but it hasn’t quite played to its potential, going 4-2 through six games when it could easily be 6-0 — even Mark Dantonio has admitted that.

If Michigan State was 6-0, this game would be a matchup of top-10 teams and we may be talking about playoff positioning in a potential primetime game. Instead, we are gearing up for a No. 24 against No. 6 battle at noon and many are saying Michigan will run away with this win at Spartan Stadium.

Michigan is the overwhelming favorite in media circles as well as according to casual college football fans, but that could play right into Michigan State’s favor — the chip is back.

Let’s take a look at why the Spartans could pull off a second straight mammoth upset.

5. Run defense will stymy Karan Higdon

Despite allowing over 170 yards to Miles Sanders a week ago — 126 came on two long rushes — the Spartans still allow just 62 yards per game on the ground, one of the best marks in all of college football.

That will make things difficult for Karan Higdon.

Higdon has yet to face a run defense like Michigan State’s and the only truly strong front he’s seen was Notre Dame’s and he fell short of 100 yards in that one. Sure, Wisconsin has a solid defense, but the Badgers surprisingly allow more than 160 yards per game on the ground.

Northwestern’s run defense has been slightly above average, as has Maryland’s but neither have been as smothering as Michigan State’s

The Spartans will find a way to slow down Higdon, forcing Michigan to win through the air — something Shea Patterson isn’t used to this season.