Running backs and Linebackers.

Up next and for the double dip blog post, Pat and I will look at the linebackers and running backs.  

(Here is Pat with the Michigan running backs.)

Michigan's running backs are a very interesting unit.  They have an array of talent but no true go-to back.  Vincent Smith is small but could possibly be the toughest player on the entire football team.  He's the best pass blocker of the running backs, has some shiftiness and runs as hard as anyone you'll find.  I really like Toussaint as I think he has the best potential of being a mail carrying running back of anyone on the roster.  The coaches seem to agree as he has gotten the most carries so far this season.  I think this is the most underrated unit on Michigan's team because they aren't featured as much with Denard in the lineup.  MSU's stable of backs is better but I don't think the gap in talent is vast.  Vincent Smith would get playing time for the Spartans for sure.  

Michigan State has a threeish headed monster in the running game.  There's Baker, Bell and Caper. LLP.  Baker is the stud back, the guy they call rock.  However, he has had a less than stellar season so far espeically after last year.  From watching the games, I do not think this is because of the offensive line play, rather Baker seems to be making poor reads.  Last year he would make the right cut and spring a run.  This year he seems to be making a cut into the back of his own players.  Bell is a bigger back - runs with a lot of power and is known for this ability to stay on his feet after contact.  Caper has been relegated to the third down back roll, but is a major threat to catch the ball out of the back field.  He is more than capable to run as a #1 overall back.   Caper gets the majority of his yards on screen passes and roll outs.  He has broken a few runs this year and has a nice fresh set of legs at the end of the game.  

(Here is Pat with the Michigan Linebackers)

Michigan's linebacking core is the weakest unit on the team.  It mixes inexperience with a lack of quality depth and talent.  They are still much better than the last couple of seasons.  Kenny Demens is a real life B1G middle linebacker and leads the team in tackles.  Brandin Hawthorne got a chance due to injury and has not ceded his spot since.  His continued improvement is of great importance to Michigan's defense going forward.  He has been a boom/bust type of player who will make plays and also make some mistakes.  Jake Ryan is the third starter and has been a very good young player.  He too will make occasional errors but seems to correct them, even within a game. (coaching is good to have)

The linebackers aren't going to be a unit that wins Michigan a game but they can be solid, make plays when given the chance and help to shut down MSU's running game.  An interesting matchup here IMO is when MSU tries to get the edge.  Can Ryan keep contain and keep Baker and Bell from getting to the sideline? 

(the current Michigan backers are a long way from the "glory" days)

The Spartan linebackers I am very so so about.  I will say I am very excited about them next year.  Denicos Allen is my favorite backer of the group. He has tremendous speed and athleticism off the edge.  Chris Norman and Steve Gardiner kind of split starts and time pretty evenly.  Both are similar sized and what Gardiner lacks in speed he makes up for in hitting power.  Finally in the middle is Max Bullough, straight out of traverse city st. francis.  He has been very surprising to me. He has played well and is a big body. Max checks defenses at the line and is a vocal leader out there. Were gonna need Max to have the best game of his career.    Our linebacker core is the type Dantonio had at OSU with speed on the edge and big bruiser in the middle.  As we are now, I miss the speed Greg Jones had in the middle and we might miss him even more against Denard.  I really look to Denicos to be a difference maker in this game, his speed will be necessary to help contain Denard and cover WR's.

(Pat's analysis of today's posts. ) Tbone will interject where necessary.

Summary:  The WR units are a push.  MSU's running backs are better than Michigan's but not by a giant margin. (agreed 100%.  UMs are all a lot faster in open space, but they do not really seem to have any sort of elusiveness.  In my opinion they rely on  getting the edge.) I know they are a young unit (and Tbone will give us more insight) but I think MSU's linebackers are better than Michigan's.  I do, however, like Michigan's secondary more than MSU's.  (Tbone may disagree)  I just feel like people are still rating Michigan's secondary based on what happened the last few seasons and not what they've seen so far this year.  This year, they've been pretty good. (yes, they've been pretty good for half of a game.  This unit lacks any ability to cover a guy down field.  Next year I can see them being very solid.  MSU's secondary is the best part of their defense in my opinion, so I will 100% disagree with you that UM's is better.)

When it comes to match-ups on what was posted today...

Here's Pat!
When the Spartans have the ball:   I like Michigan's secondary versus anyone but Cunningham, who I think will have another big game.  He's unlikely to be shut down and will make a few plays.  I think Michigan's linebackers will do well against the Spartans running game but that is more due to offensive line issues for MSU than the ability of the guys toting the rock.  

And now tbone

When the Wolverines have the ball it will be necessary to keep Denard in check.  Our secondary needs to have good coverage so that when Denard throws the ball, there is an opportunity for an interception. The MSU linebackers will be need to bottle the run game at spots while also keeping in check the underneath pass throw.  UM likes to make a quick pass to the tight end, we need to guard against that, and the fakes built off of that.

 

Back to you Pat!
When Michigan has the ball:  I like Michigan's WRs to do what they do.  They aren't going to make huge plays but they will be open because of the stress that Robinson puts on a defense.  Michigan's running backs I think may struggle in this game.  It will be interesting to see if Michigan tries to get Vincent Smith in space with a lot of screens or if they simply abandon giving the ball to the running backs and rely heavily on Denard.  I could see something like 50-60 yards for the running backs in this game on a limited number of carries (around 15).

And finally, tbone

When MSU has the ball look for a balanced attack.  We will need to establish a run game to get space in the passing game.  As mentioned earlier, Cunningham should have a big game but I hope Cousins does not try to force feed him.  The Spartan receivers will need to catch it when thrown to them.  I feel Dion Sims can be the biggest difference maker for the offense.  When running the ball, it will be pretty evenly split between Baker and Bell.  I do not know who is going to have a good game, but I like the thought of Baker breaking out of his funk, he ran very well against Michigan last year.  If we rush for 150 yards, we win this game easily.