Looking Back
The Comparison: Offense
QB: Michigan (Big)
- Despite Denard's major issues in South Bend this prediction appears true. Maxwell has looked pretty solid and appears to have major upside but Robinson has been dominant on the ground in all of Michigan's wins. Let's say this prediction was accurate though maybe we should erase that (big).
- Ha. Le'veon Bell has proven himself to be the best back in the B1G while Fitz Toussaint hasn't really gotten going yet this season. This is a big advantage for the Spartans through the first half of the season.
- Dion Sims dominance and Aaron Burbridge's emergence notwithstanding this comparison solidly goes to the Wolverines so far. Jeremy Gallon has proven to be a legitimate go-to slot, Devin Gardner has emerged as a big play WR and Devin Funchess has exploded onto the scene as an absolute mismatch.
- MSU has been ravaged by injuries along the offensive line. This is probably the single most disappointing unit for the Spartans thus far in 2012. Michigan's offensive line is coming off a dominant performance against Purdue which followed up an impressive 2nd half against the Fighting Irish.
2012 Statistics:
Total Offense:
MSU: 79th, 389 ypg
UM: 73rd 397 ypg
Scoring Offense:
MSU:98th, 22 ppg
UM: 48th, 32 ppg
The Comparison: Defense
DT: PUSH (both teams have unknowns here)
- This is interesting. Through the first three weeks of the season I would have easily said Michigan State has been better in this category but Michigan's defensive line has made massive improvements against Notre Dame and Purdue. Their play has me very encouraged. I haven't seen every snap for the Spartans but I'm going to say small edge MSU here.
- While the Gholston hype hasn't translated to the field much, Marcus Rush has played well. Michigan hasn't gotten a ton of statistical production from their defensive ends but they have gotten solid play from Craig Roh. This is closer to a push than we thought in the preseason.
- Jake Ryan has been an all-B1G performer and the best player on Michigan's defense. After a slow start, Kenny Demens and Desmond Morgan have come on in recent weeks (due in no small part to the improvements with the defensive tackles). I believe that MSU has the best linebacker unit in the conference but Michigan's backers are much improved over recent years. We got this one about right and both have very good units here.
- I have no idea how the Sparty safeties have played this season. I like Jordan Kovacs and Thomas Gordon has been solid throughout the year.
- Blake Countess went down very early in the season and the depth we spoke of came into play immediately. Johnny Adams has had some ups and downs so far this season. To date I'd say this has been a small edge for MSU but I could be persuaded otherwise.
2012 Statistics:
Total Defense:
MSU: 8th, 272 yards per game
Michigan: 19th, 312 yards per game
Scoring Defense:
MSU: 15th, 15 ppg
Michigan: 37th, 21 ppg
Projecting the Future
Both of our squads have underachieved so far in 2012. Michigan has done so by getting trounced by Alabama and having far too many turnovers in their other games while MSU has just plain struggled offensively. The struggles have taken off a little luster from the matchup on October 20th but the game will still likely determine who heads to Indy to represent the Legends division. Looking at the breakdown above it looks like a game that will be closely contested. We will find out a little more this week and then get down to making some predictions next week.
I hope the Wolverine's don't have a letdown against Illinois on Saturday because they are looking ahead to the Spartans. A a blogger I don't have to worry about that so I am free to look ahead to the game with the Spartans and man I'm getting excited...
yea our Oline has been crushed by injuries. not a good thing. The spartan safeties have played a very good season. Whats better about them is that the unit is deep with RJ Williamson showing a lot of speed to stop the run and help in pass support.
ReplyDeleteCorner has been a point of contention for me. Dennard has been great and while Adams has been beat a few times, he is there in great position The best example of that is the bomb against Ohio State. Adams was running step for step with the receiver - that was an unreal pass.
Agree with most of this. Agree with Zach on MSU's safeties. It has been a pleasant surprise. Lewis looks like a playmaker, which isn't a surprise after a pretty good season last year as a sophomore. The other safety spot has seen 3 guys play relatively effectivel. Williamson looks like he's starting to emerge. Also a RS freshman.
ReplyDeleteI would rank MSU's position groups as follows on Defense:
1. Linebacker- Bullough almost never misses a tackle. It's nuts. Allen's not getting sacks like last year, I think because offensive coaches are much more aware of him, and the line isn't eating as many blockers. Norman has been solid. Interestingly Taiwan Jones is apparently on the verge of overtaking him. Jones is a true sophomore, played a bit last year. Made several nice open field plays last week against Indiana.
2. Safety- Very solid. I can't remember any major breakdowns, which is what you look for in safeties, because when they screw up it usually results in 6.
3. Corners- Adams' struggles have been well documented. A couple things, I was a little skeptical of the "first rounder" hype to begin with. But I still think he's going to get drafted. MSU asks their corners to play a lot of press/man. Narduzzi has said it's the most important component of the way they want to play defense. Doing that, one little mistake, or even just a great play by the offense (The OSU throw that Zach mentioned) can make a corner look bad. Dennard has been the epitome of solid. I think Adams is going to get back on track.
4. Dline- Apparently in interviews today Narduzzi said they are working on playing Gholston inside in their Nickel package. this says more about the DTs than Gholston to me. His season has been disappointing, but he is drawing an awful lot of attention. Which the rest of the defense is not making teams pay for right now. They have gotten very few plays from interior linemen. That looks to be an ongoing problem the rest of this year unfortunately.
Any fear about Iowa? They seem pretty bad this year but are maybe improving?
ReplyDeleteIll have preview up tonight. Basically I don't want a low scoring battle.
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