Michigan running back Carlos Brown runs for a touchdown during the first quarter last week against Indiana. Brown is averaging 8.4 yards per carry this season. (Photo: Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com)

Rich Rodriguez sat in Michigan's film room earlier this week watching tape of last year’s game against rival Michigan State.

The Spartans won handily, 35-21, and Michigan failed to move the ball with any consistency. Steven Threet threw three interceptions, the running game sputtered with 84 yards - less than half of Michigan State running back Javon Ringer's total - and the Wolverines managed just three first downs in the final 25 minutes.

"After you watch that, you think, 'Geez, we're a little further ahead now,'" Rodriguez said.

A lot further ahead, actually.

A year after finishing last in the Big Ten in several major statistical categories, 22nd-ranked Michigan has the most potent offense in the league.

The Wolverines (4-0) lead the conference in scoring and rushing, the latter by a large margin - a telling stat entering today’s showdown (noon, Big Ten Network) with underachieving Michigan State (1-3).

The team with more rushing yards has won 37 of the last 41 games in the series, and the Spartans stand 10th in the Big Ten in rushing at 117.8 yards per game.

Michigan more than doubles that output every Saturday (240.2 ypg), and starter Carlos Brown averages nearly a first down every carry (8.4 yards per attempt).

“Historically, whoever’s won the rushing battle has won the game, so it’s something we definitely have to do,” Michigan fullback Kevin Grady said. “We’ve been doing pretty good thus far of running the ball, but we just got to fine-tune things and come out and play our game.”

Still far from a finished product, Michigan's offense has made strides in three major areas.

• At quarterback, true freshman Tate Forcier is the kind of dual-threat weapon the Wolverines lacked last year. Forcier, who’ll play today despite a sore throwing shoulder, leads the team with 40 carries and 670 yards passing, and has shown remarkable poise in leading two game-winning, fourth-quarter touchdown drives.

• Up front, Michigan’s offensive line has weathered injuries to center David Molk and right guard David Moosman (who’s back now and starting at center in place of Molk) with a cast of veteran backups. The Wolverines have started three different lines in four games with little drop off.

“Their offensive line is much more in synch than it was last year,” Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. “This is the second year in the program, and they should be complimented on the job that they’re doing in terms of how they’re functioning and executing.”

• And mentally, players have a better understanding of the hows and whys of the spread-option offense. Beyond playing at the brisk pace the scheme requires, Rodriguez said Michigan is starting to assert its physical side, too, something it’ll need today against Michigan State.

“Being physical is a mentality and a state of mind with your players, not a system,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve played pretty physical at times this year, but we’re going to challenge our guys to be more physical, and not just because we’re playing Michigan State. We’re doing it because I think we can play more physical.”

That goes for the defense, too, where Michigan will face one of its stiffest tests of the season.

Michigan State leads the Big Ten in passing and total offense, and after a difficult first month, the Spartans face a virtual must-win to make a bowl.

"It's a critical game for us," Dantonio said.

Michigan hasn’t lost two straight to Michigan State since 1966-67, and Brown said there’s plenty riding on this game for his team, too.

“It’s who wants to be the owner of the state for this year,” he said. “Hopefully we can get that back down here in Ann Arbor.”

Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.