Michigan football team's one-man show should lift Wolverines past Spartans on Saturday
Michigan sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson averages 181 yards a game rushing.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Heading into Saturday's clash between the No. 17 Michigan State and No. 18 Michigan football teams, AnnArbor.com has teamed up to preview the matchup of undefeated teams. David Mayo of the Grand Rapids Press details why it's the Spartans' year here. Below, Pete Bigelow makes the case for the Wolverines.
The idea that Michigan State has rolled through the first portion of this year’s college football schedule as some sort of preordained team of destiny has floated around the Great Lakes for few weeks. The Spartans rallied around their fallen head coach. They’ve won an overtime game on a gutsy fake field goal. They don’t have Ohio State on their 2010 schedule. Their counterparts in Ann Arbor have none of those intangibles. Off the field, the Wolverines started summer camp under an NCAA investigation. On the field, coaches stripped last year’s starting quarterback of the wings on his helmet.
If there was a team destined for trouble, Michigan was it. Yet the No. 18 Wolverines (5-0) enter Saturday’s matchup with Michigan State (5-0) with the same momentum and same national attention as the No. 17 Spartans. The Wolverines are playing fast and loose, like a team with nothing to lose. They’ve rediscovered their confidence after its two-year absence. Most importantly, they’ve unearthed a Heisman Trophy candidate. And that’s what Saturday’s game is really all about. It won’t be decided by history or momentum or arcane statistic found by countless hours of watching film. It will be decided by Denard Robinson, and it really is that simple. The sophomore quarterback has been the best player on the field in five consecutive games, and with due respect to preseason Big Ten defensive player of the year Greg Jones, he’ll make it six Saturday. Speed changes everything, and Robinson runs a 4.32 40-yard dash. Combine that with better acceleration than any runner this side of the NFL Draft and composure in adverse circumstances, and the Wolverines have their best athlete since Charles Woodson. It’s not that Robinson isn’t due for some sort of reality check against the Spartans, who possess the best defense Michigan has played thus far. But what passes for a reality check in Robinson’s world may be a game in which he compiles 400 yards of total offense. In his first five starts, he’s already had two games in which he’s run for at least 200 yards and passed for at least 200 yards. No NCAA quarterback had done it once since West Virginia’s Pat White in 2006. He’s been the Big Ten’s offensive player of the week three times in five starts, and the national quarterback of the week twice. Deservedly so, Michigan State has built a reputation around its stingy run defense. Last week, the Spartans held Wisconsin running back John Clay, to 80 yards on 17 carries. They’ll have to do a whole lot better to slow the Wolverines. Robinson averages 181 yards per game by himself, and Michigan averages a Big Ten-high 324.4 rushing yards per game. The conference’s next highest team, Wisconsin, averages 85 fewer yards per game. Notre Dame is the one common opponent so far on both Michigan and Michigan State’s schedule. Both schools won in the final minute against the Irish. That’s one of several snapshots that suggest the outcome of Saturday’s game will be up for grabs until the final minutes. There’s a lot to like about the Spartans, and their bid for a third consecutive win in the rivalry. They’ve got a deeper defense than the Wolverines. They have a flashy returner in Keyshawn Martin. They have a reliable field-goal kicker in Dan Conroy.
But Denard Robinson has strapped the Wolverines to his shoulders twice on the road this season and willed them to last-minute victories. Don’t bet against him doing it at home.
Pete Bigelow covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2556, via email at petebigelow@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @PeterCBigelow.
Comments
meanslayer
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 9:33 p.m.
So how are you feeling now XTR? Pete, seem like your fondness of U of M gets in the way of objective writing.
Alexander John Migda
Sun, Oct 10, 2010 : 4:54 p.m.
You must not know much about sports if you pick the one-man-team to win.
fredric
Sat, Oct 9, 2010 : 9:16 a.m.
Lets just play the game, OK. they some of you will have the ability to rant and others have the opportunity to rub it in. I think that UM has players to back up DR!!!
Pika
Sat, Oct 9, 2010 : 7:52 a.m.
Michigan has no defense. It is that simple.
XTR
Sat, Oct 9, 2010 : 3:42 a.m.
Sparties stats are ordinary. All of their wins are ordinary, nothing special except for the fake kick that stole the ND game. If MSU's defense is tops in the nation or their defense has never allowed a TD in 5 games, then I would be impressed. MSU's offense is a sputtering offense, they will not place a lot of points on the board. If they had great players or great stats or national significance, they I might believe that they will have a chance of winning this game.
Dusty
Sat, Oct 9, 2010 : 12:42 a.m.
Demetrius Hart, Rivals.com's #1 rated all-purpose running back from Orlando, Florida, just verbally committed to Michigan a couple hours ago. He chose Michigan over Alabama. Don't let Rich Rodriguez start to get 5 star athletes on his offense or they won't even need to put a defense on the field.
Anthony
Sat, Oct 9, 2010 : 12:09 a.m.
Yes both teams come into this game with a mindset that they are going to win the paul bunyon trophy. But there is something both teams are forgetting. Everyone has a plan until they try to execute it. Point blank is that UM just wont quit and right now there playing wild, which can be VERY dangerous. MSU isnt ready for what the blue are going to do. UM 27 MSU 17
Jim
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 8:21 p.m.
Our secondary is horrible beyond belief & yes Cousins will probably light them up BUT Denard can throw as well & that mixed with the threat of him running & outrunning Sparty will open up alot for Roundtree & Co. As for Harbaugh, the Maize & Blue are better off without that knucklehead, I mean 1st he degrades UM's academic standards for athletes under Carr then turns around & pleads for Stanford to lower theirs so he can recruit better athletes...I feel Rich Rod's offense has no doubt hit it's stride now that they have the QB to run it. Denard has been running like this since HS, so to say he will go down with injury is not all that true. Tate would have already been out. I think he needs to learn how to get out of bounds a little more like Pat White did at WVU. And whoever said that Rich Rod's offense never works is obviously just a hater. Every school he has coached at his offense has been dominate. Speed will kill Sparty & not just on Denard's part. Our receivers & backs aren't actually slow. Fire Greg Robinson, go to a 4-3 and play for a National Title in the future. All of you fair weather fans should have followed Boren. It has been a rough couple of years here in OH but I still & always will bleed Maize & Blue. Big Brother 49 Little Brother 42. Go Blue
NC Wolverine 20
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 7:52 p.m.
MSU is a bad road team. UM can't stop anyone on the road or at home. Hmmm, looks like another shoot-out. UM 42 MSU 38.
Jaxon5
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 7:15 p.m.
Defense will be shredded by MSU for 45 points. UM will need to fire on all cylinders in order to win. It won't happen for the 6th week in a row. That's the problem with an offensive-minded team; it doesn't always work. MSU 49 - UM 35
azwolverine
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 6:51 p.m.
Chase, while you're right that UM left some points on the field, so did Indiana with an INT in the endzone, so perhaps 56-42 is a more apt final. However, hypothetical finals mean nothing since points left on the field are part of the game and help determine wins and losses on a regular basis. Ask UConn and ND. To this weekend's game, I projected Michigan to be 6-0 through the first six at the beginning of the year, so I'm not going to change it now. I think the fact that the game is at the Big House and that MSU played a physical game against Wisconsin last week, along with Robinson's big play ability will help Michigan win by 10.
Macabre Sunset
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 5:03 p.m.
Crist played the entire game against MSU. He missed half of the Michigan game. That makes any comparison involving Notre Dame difficult. We don't really know what Robinson can do against a decent defense. I guess it's time to find out. If Michigan somehow makes it to 7-0 against MSU and Iowa, I would be pleasantly amazed. Far more likely 5-2, though. MSU 45-21.
Mbo
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 4:55 p.m.
Can we get a doctor or an EMT to the press box asap please???? Look at the bright side,one of the greatest cardiac hospitals on the planet is within walking distance. Don't freak out Sparty, It's just a joke. I don't wish any harm to your boy. Michigan 31 - Green (Envy) 17
Mbo
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 4:47 p.m.
I love you Spartys. Even if just for the humor. Do not confuse 2 in a row with anything more than it really is. Just 2 in a row. You'll go back to winning 1 or 2 out of every 10. Some things never change and this is one of them. MSU Football will always will be a mediocre program. Seems like you guys would get used to it at some point and accept reality. Look at the overall series record. Nuff said. As far as the Harbaugh comment. I didn't realize he was coaching in the NFL next year???? Watch out for the first or second play that Michigan has on offense.........Hello Heisman. Go Blue. Maybe next decade, little sister.
Chase
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 4:29 p.m.
All of you who did not see the Indiana game don't realize we left 14 points on the field. Michigan fumbled at the Indiana one yard line. Then another time we turned the ball over when we were close to scoring. The score should have been 56 to 35.
maizenbluedoc
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 4:26 p.m.
Just remember, to paraphrase an old Oldsmobile commercial, this isn't your father's Michigan team.
3 And Out
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 4:25 p.m.
Shoelace will get his yards and points tomorrow....no doubt....but it will be the lack of defense and special teams that kill Michigan's chances at home. Dantonio plays Tressel-ball on offense...just grinding it out on the ground with their talented freshmen backs and big line and hits some play action with Cousins when needed....and just keeps rolling up points and scoring... Sparty also gets one defensive TD or special teams TD... Sparty 47 Michigan 35
robotmonster
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 4:20 p.m.
1) Whoever has the ball last wins in regulation, or, if there is overtime the first team NOT to score a TD wins.
umgoblue47
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 3:43 p.m.
chelseabob... your post makes no sense? jim harbaugh's team got smoked by oregon running the spread! go figure... GO BLUE...
Dan Carey
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 3:37 p.m.
Facts facts. MSU and Michigan almost always throw these past statistics away. Just look in the past when they play each other. Unless one team is really dominant over the other rankings and record. Normally MSU is the underdog and comes in and scores just like Michigan does no matter how good the defenses are. The bottom line is the game is going to go down to the wire. If all you fans out there like to speak your stupid opinions about MSU wining 45-14 or even 40-27. You need to take a reality check and look at the facts. Michigan has the 2nd best offense in the nation. They will score a lot just like MSU will. It will come down to the very end. FACT! And who wins has the ball for the last drive of the game or has the most turnovers.
azmsufan
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 3:30 p.m.
Blah Blah Blah I work for AnnArbor.com and have pee colored glasses on. D Rob is not the only deciding factor. I stopped reading once I got to that because this is a feel good piece for the fan base.
jgp
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 2:36 p.m.
"Yet the No. 18 Wolverines (5-0) enter Saturdays matchup... with the same national attention as the No. 17 Spartans." False.
Metalc0reJ
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 2:26 p.m.
You guys are making the mistake of using prior performances to judge how the Wolverines will play. Just because they gave up X amount of points to Team A doesn't mean they'll give up X amount to Team B, even if Team B is believed to have a better team. I'm glad you guys are so confident, it will only make the loss confuse you all the more. I can't see Michigan losing this game, much more athletic as a team than MSU is. Time to put Sparty back in its place.
ChelseaBob
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 2:25 p.m.
Robinson can strap the team on his back, only if he's on the field. This is the game I penciled in where Denard has to sit for injuries. When you play the way he does, you're going to accrue injuries that drag you down as the season progresses. That's why RichRods system doesn't work. I am looking forward to seeing what Harbaugh does with Denard next year, though.
Tailgate Jim
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 2:20 p.m.
All I can say is bow down little brother...bow down little brother. The only reason the Spartys are 5-0 is that they didn't play Central Michigan this year. Go Blue!!!
truebluefan
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 2:11 p.m.
zeeba - Your comment sounds logical. But it seems this season Michigan has defied logic, haven't they?
Howard the Duck
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 2:09 p.m.
Little Brother - 45 Little Missy - 14 Sad and thirsty day in the Big House!
Marksman72
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 1:27 p.m.
"Its not that Robinson isnt due for some sort of reality check against the Spartans, who possess the best defense Michigan has played thus far" And he calls himself a Journalist? A double negative in a sentence..no, no, no. He just answered his own question about a Reality Check...Robinson IS due for one. Spartans roll 40-27.
Sean T.
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 12:25 p.m.
I hate to agree, but I completely do.
zeeba
Fri, Oct 8, 2010 : 11:26 a.m.
You really think MSU will give up more points than Notre Dame or Connecticut did? Or that U-M will be able to match their Indiana & Massachusetts point totals against the MSU defense? Because that's what has to happen for UM to win this game. Let's face it, U-M's defense makes every skill player on State's side of the ball look like Denard Robinson. Thirty points on Saturday would be underperforming, with 40+ a more likely tally. Meaning that, against the best defense it has faced, U-M needs to put up more points than it did against everyone but Bowling Green. It's just not gonna happen.