Michigan State Football: Q&A with GBMWolverine ahead of top-10 rivalry game

If you live in Michigan, you know that this is the week that you can’t go anywhere without being reminded that Michigan and Michigan State football meet for their annual rivalry clash.

Your friends, siblings, parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and neighbors have been talking about this game for weeks now and it’s finally about to take place in East Lansing.

To commemorate the top-10 rivalry battle (the first such matchup since 1964), we caught up with GBMWolverine writer Josh LaFond to talk about the game from an opponent’s perspective with a quick Q&A.

Q: Where did you sit this offseason in terms of Jim Harbaugh? Did you believe he could turn it around this year?

Josh: I was fully in the camp of fire Harbaugh. Personally, I am a big Matt Campbell fan — the head coach of the Iowa State Cyclones — and along with many Michigan fans, felt he was the guy to bring back the historically consistent Michigan Wolverine style of football and culture. When it was announced that Jim Harbaugh was coming back, I was disappointed to say the least. I never thought that Michigan would be 7-0 entering this game week. Despite Washington, Wisconsin, and Nebraska being down, those were all games that Michigan under previous versions of Jim Harbaugh would’ve lost. So I give Jim credit for not only winning the games he should, but winning the games he shouldn’t, and most of all get this program back on the right track.

Q: What’s your honest opinion about Cade McNamara?

Josh: He is a fine, serviceable quarterback. Will he single-handedly put the team on his back and carry them to a win? No. He’s no Denard Robinson or Devin Gardner. Frankly, he’s no Jake Rudock or Wilton Speight. Cade McNamara is reliant on having a terrific run game — which he does — and an offensive scheme that allows him to read the defense pre-snap, not post. 

He doesn’t have a huge arm and is less athletic than Rocky Lombardi. Hopefully his ability to read defenses pre-snap, not turn the ball over, and deliver the pigskin where the offensive staff asks him to come Saturday. He’s proven he can against lesser competition, but my fear is that as Michigan gets into the meat of their schedule against MSU, PSU, and OSU it won’t be enough. 

Q: What would it take for you to lose trust in Harbaugh again?

Josh: Losing by two scores to MSU and getting blown out again by Ohio State. That would be the epitome of everything Michigan has been under his leadership — good but not great. To maintain and grow the trust the Michigan fanbase has in him, Jim Harbaugh has to win these big games instead of crapping the bed. 

Q: Which position groups do you think Michigan has the advantage over Michigan State?

Josh: Offensive line and defensive line. 

In the eyes of many of us who cover the enemy, the Spartans’ biggest weakness is the turnstile on the offensive line. Michigan ranks tops in the Big Ten and in the better part of the national rankings among pass and run blocking. They have allowed the least amount of sacks, and the least amount of tackles for loss in the conference. 

Additionally, on the defensive side of the ball led by potential early first-round NFL draft pick Aiden Hutchinson, the Wolverines have the ability to not only get a push in the run game but also get pressure without blitzing extra men. The trenches and who wins the battle in them are in my mind the biggest key to victory and Michigan arguably has the advantage in that department on both sides of the ball.

Q: How do you view Michigan State as an opponent (respect or hate or both)?

Josh: I have always looked at Michigan State — while not a blue blood, or top tier job — a program that is consistently underrated and not talked about enough. This year has been no different. The Spartans stand 7-0 and are talked about less than the Cincinnati Bearcats. Are you kidding me?! 

While I don’t love them and have often rooted for their demise, I respect that they have done more with less than just about anyone in the conference over the last 15+ years. 

Playing the Spartans on the road is Michigan’s toughest test to date and I think it will be a game we remember for years to come, unlike others in past battles.

Q: What are Michigan’s keys to victory?

Josh: Make Payton Thorne beat them through the air. And don’t shoot yourself in the foot.

Kenneth Walker III can not be allowed to run all over Michigan. If he hits a big run or two, you can live with that. What you can’t allow to happen is him hitting those big gainers and then churn out 4-5 yards a carry. For Michigan to win they have to make Payton Thorne beat them through the air which is something he hasn’t proven he can do when Walker is limited. 

On the other side of the ball, don’t commit unforced errors. Cade McNamara has been the most efficient passer in a winged helmet in quite some time. For the Wolverines to win he has to continue that same efficiency, leaning on the run game to carry the offense and hitting open shots when they’re available.

Do those two things and Michigan doesn’t just win, but they win comfortably.

Q: What’s your score prediction?

Josh: It’s going to be a close game there’s no doubt about it. The hype going into Saturday’s battle is warranted and I think Michigan responds.

This will be the best offensive and defensive line the Spartans have played to date. I think that makes the difference. Winning the battle in the trenches will be the reason the Wolverines keep Kenneth Walker III in check, and the same reason their run game is able to carry this offense.

It will be close at halftime but I think the Wolverines pull away late in the second half. Michigan wins 31-20.

A big thanks to Josh LaFond over at GBMWolverine for taking the time to answer these questions, but let’s hope his prediction is wrong.