Tag: Michigan Football

Halftime Analysis of Michigan State vs No. 15 Michigan

It’s halftime for Michigan football as they are up 17-7 against Michigan State at the break. What’s working and what isn’t so far?

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Ann Arbor, MI — Coming off their bye week last week, Michigan had an extra week to prepare for the Michigan State Spartans. That extra week seemed to have not been enough for the Wolverines as they started the game poorly with three penalties in less than five minutes. They could clean their act up as the game progressed, but it wasn’t a pretty start for the Wolverines.

After both teams traded punts, Michigan would get a drive going and land at the 40-yard line on fourth down. After an incomplete pass from quarterback Shea Patterson to wide receiver Nico Collins, MSU would get the football and have a solid drive led by their quarterback Brian Lewerke.

Lewerke would find wide receiver Cody White on fourth and one as he would go 29 yards before being tackled at the one. The next play Lewerke found fullback Max Rosenthal on a one-yard touchdown pass as MSU took the 7-0 lead.

Michigan wouldn’t let the score bother them as quarterback Shea Patterson started going on a tear as the offense opened up the playbook for their RPO. Big catches by wide receivers Collins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Ronnie Bell helped move the ball down the field. Patterson went 4/4 on the drive for 48 yards as running back Hassan Haskins would finish the drive for a one-yard touchdown run as Michigan ties the game up 7-7.

Personal fouls by MSU killed their next drive as two on one play pushed them back and despite getting the first down, they would eventually punt back to Michigan. So far there have been three unsportsmanlike/personal penalties in this game, three by MSU, one by Michigan. This game is usually chippy so those numbers aren’t a surprise for either team.

Michigan would get the ball at their own two-yard line and in five minutes and 39 seconds and 12 plays later they would score as Patterson found tight end Nick Eubanks for the touchdown as Michigan took the 14-7 lead. Patterson made some nice reads on that drive, running the football and finding the correct man on the RPO’s.

MSU would stall out on offense again and Michigan would continue to strike. Patterson found Bell for a huge 42-yard catch to put Michigan inside the red zone. Michigan couldn’t find the end zone though as kicker Quinn Nordin would make the 28-yard field goal attempt as Michigan expanded their lead to 17-7. Nordin has been kicking every extra point and field goal so far today, so it looks like he has won the kicking job against Jake Moody.

POSITIVES:

  • Michigan’s offense started slow but have been using different types of RPO plays and plays where men are in motion. That is something we haven’t seen this season as that looks like some of Josh Gattis’ “speed in space” offense he was trying to bring to Michigan. Patterson has been playing great in it so far, going 14/21 for 182 yards and a touchdown along with three carries for eight yards.
  • Michigan has done well in keeping the MSU run game in check. Ignoring Lewerke’s runs, Michigan has held MSU to just 23 rushing yards on 12 attempts. MSU had some success last week running the rock but that isn’t the case so far this week.

NEGATIVES:

  • MSU is doing well at running RPO against the Wolverines defense. Michigan started to figure things out, but it has still been a threat to the Wolverines defense. Lewerke is 6/10 for 79 yards and a touchdown along with five carries for 16 yards. So far as he seems to be leading this offense down the field.
  • Penalties have been an early problem for Michigan as they had three in less than five minutes to start the game. So far they have had four for 41 yards and they have hurt the Wolverines greatly. They have improved at discipline in the past few weeks, but these are not what you want in this big rivalry game.
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Updates: Michigan vs. MSU

Follow along for updates and talk with the WolverinesWire crew with the big in-state rivalry on tap for the maize and blue.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan is fresh off a bye week, ready to go for its second win in a row over rival Michigan State, and the first at home in the Jim Harbaugh era.

WolverinesWire’s Isaiah Hole is on the ground at Michigan Stadium while Brandon Knapp is in the press box and Matthew Lounsberry is remote, to bring you updates and observations from the game.

(Note: Isaiah will be intermittent, due to likely bad signal from field level)

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Is A Recently Fired Head Coach Bound for Michigan?

Well, it appears a certain, recently fired head college football coach may be headed to Ann Arbor for employment soon.

Notre Dame won’t be playing Michigan in football for the next dozen or so years assuming the stars don’t align the two don’t meet in a bowl game before the series resumes in the 2030’s.

But we tend to keep a watchful eye on what’s happening up north with a rival, whether they’re on the schedule or not.

Well, it appears a certain, recently fired head college football coach may be headed to Ann Arbor for employment soon.

It’s easy to piece this one together.

Willie Taggart was the starting quarterback at Western Kentucky long before soaring up the collegiate coaching ranks.

Jim Harbaugh and his father Jack helped recruit Taggart to WKU. Eventually Jim took the job at Stanford where Taggart would become an assistant coach before Taggart would go-on to South Florida, Oregon and eventually Florida State before being fired a couple short weeks ago.

Clearly nothing is official at this point but it’s college football which means if there is smoke, there is probably fire. If you’re into coaching changes and assistant coaching searches, keep an eye out for Taggart to find employment at Michigan before long.

2019 Michigan Football Week 12 Rooting Guide

Michigan Football takes on Michigan State on Saturday in their annual rivalry game. What other games should you focus on this week?

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With a week off, Michigan football is back this week. While they have a huge game against Michigan State, there are other big games happening around the country. Michigan fell a spot in the latest College Football Playoff rankings to 15 and they will need some help to get moving back up on the rankings.

There are four games this week that Michigan fans should pay attention too as they could help Michigan in the long run. Check out which four below.

Game 1: Indiana vs. No. 9 Penn State

This is for the Big Ten Championship hopes here. Penn State suffered their first loss last week to Minnesota, and the Wolverines need them to lose two more times this season. Indiana is up next for Penn State and they won’t be an easy win.

Indiana is ranked inside the AP polls and while they don’t matter anymore, a win over Penn State could put them into the CFP Top 25, and that means if Michigan wins over Michigan State this week, it will be an even bigger and tougher game next week against Indiana. Indiana looking tough means if Michigan beats them they look good too.

Root for: Indiana

Game 2: No. 4 Georiga vs. No. 12 Auburn

Another week where Auburn is featured on this list. Georgia is on pace to make the SEC title game, and a win over Auburn could push them over Clemson at the number three spot. Auburn is high for two losses, and a third should knock them out of the top 15.

Auburn getting out of Michigan’s way would be nice and they could even see a fourth loss to Alabama to close the season out. This week though, Georgia is the team you need to root for here.

Root for: No. 4 Georgia

Game 3: No. 8 Minnesota vs. No. 20 Iowa

Minnesota jumped Michigan after beating Penn State last week. Would Iowa defeating Minnesota do the same thing? No. Iowa has three losses and lost to Michigan earlier this season. Michigan looks stronger if Iowa wins so that only helps Michigan’s case for a solid bowl game later in the season.

Root for: No. 20 Iowa

Game 4: No. 10 Oklahoma vs. No. 13 Baylor

An undefeated team ahead of Michigan that has a chance of losing this week is Baylor. The two teams here most likely will play for the conference championship in a few weeks, but this game means more now as it has playoff implications with it. Baylor needs this win to show they are a threat, while Oklahoma needs this win to show that one loss doesn’t mean they are out of it.

Michigan would love it if both could lose, but the stronger team in its path is Baylor. Baylor losing will knock them down a few spots, and enough to fall below Michigan and out of their way. Michigan could move up big this week, and a loss to Baylor helps that even more.

Root for: No. 10 Oklahoma
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Locked On Wolverines Podcast (Ep. 256): Michigan – MSU preview with Mike Martin

The former Wolverines team captain joins the show, as he does every Friday, this time to break down the rival Michigan State Spartans.

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It’s a huge rivalry game, so hear right from a former star Wolverine what it’s like to play against Sparty. He and Isaiah also give their full breakdown, expectations, picks and predictions.

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You can subscribe on iTunes, Google Podcasts, TuneIn Radio or Stitcher.

Or you can listen right here on WolverinesWire!

LISTEN below:

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Contact/Follow @WolverinesWire / @isaiahhole

How to Watch/Hear: Michigan vs. Michigan State

How to watch or listen to the big in-State rivalry game on Saturday.

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The bye week has come and gone and hate week will give way to the battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy on Saturday, as in-state rival MSU travels to The Big House to take on No. 15 Michigan.

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If you plan on watching or listening, but don’t know when or how, we at WolverinesWire have got you covered.

Basic info

When: Saturday, Nov. 16 @ 12PM EST

Where: Michigan Stadium (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

How to watch/listen:

Streaming: fuboTV

Broadcast: FOX

Radio: IMG Radio Network

Courtesy of MGoBlue.com
Contact/Follow @WolverinesWire/ @isaiahhole

Week Ten Picks, Predictions and Preview: Michigan vs. MSU

Hate week is finally here and almost gone, as Michigan is set to host in-state rival MSU at The Big House on Saturday. Since Jim Harbaugh arrived, the road team has won in all four contests. However, these two teams seem to be moving in different …

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Hate week is finally here and almost gone, as Michigan is set to host in-state rival MSU at The Big House on Saturday.

Since Jim Harbaugh arrived, the road team has won in all four contests. However, these two teams seem to be moving in different directions as No. 15 Michigan has been rolling as of late, while MSU hasn’t won a game since September.

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So what does our panel of prognosticators expect? Check it all out below.

Pickers:

Pete Fiutak @PeteFiutak, College Football News
Brandon Knapp @bknappblogs, WolverinesWire
Matthew Lounsberry @mlounsberry3434, WolverinesWire
Isaiah Hole @IsaiahHole, WolverinesWire

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Vegas-style picks

pick against the spread (-13.5)

Pete Fiutak: MICHIGAN
Brandon Knapp: MICHIGAN
Matthew Lounsberry: MICHIGAN
Isaiah Hole: MICHIGAN

Your pick for the over/under (44)

Pete Fiutak: OVER
Brandon Knapp: UNDER
Matthew Lounsberry: UNDER
Isaiah Hole: OVER

Over/under Michigan passing yards (219.12)

Pete Fiutak: OVER
Brandon Knapp: OVER
Matthew Lounsberry: OVER
Isaiah Hole: OVER

Over/under Michigan rushing yards (170.67)

Pete Fiutak: UNDER
Brandon Knapp: OVER
Matthew Lounsberry: UNDER
Isaiah Hole: OVER

Over/under MSU PASSING yards (235)

Pete Fiutak: UNDER
Brandon Knapp: UNDER
Matthew Lounsberry: UNDER
Isaiah Hole: UNDER

Over/under MSU RUSHING yards (130.89)

Pete Fiutak: OVER
Brandon Knapp: UNDER
Matthew Lounsberry: UNDER
Isaiah Hole: UNDER

Over/under Michigan qb rushing attempts (9.5)

Pete Fiutak: OVER
Brandon Knapp: OVER
Matthew Lounsberry: OVER
Isaiah Hole: OVER

Over/under Michigan turnover margin (-0.5)

Pete Fiutak: OVER
Brandon Knapp: OVER
Matthew Lounsberry: OVER
Isaiah Hole: OVER

Over/under Michigan sacks (1.5)

Pete Fiutak: OVER
Brandon Knapp: OVER
Matthew Lounsberry: OVER
Isaiah Hole: OVER

Over/under Michigan yards per play (5.59)

Pete Fiutak: OVER
Brandon Knapp: OVER
Matthew Lounsberry: OVER
Isaiah Hole: UNDER

OVER/UNDER MSU YARDS PER PLAY (5.17)

Pete Fiutak: UNDER
Brandon Knapp: UNDER
Matthew Lounsberry: UNDER
Isaiah Hole: UNDER

Over/under Michigan field goal attempts (3.5)

Pete Fiutak: UNDER
Brandon Knapp: UNDER
Matthew Lounsberry: UNDER
Isaiah Hole: OVER

Over/under Michigan punts (5)

Pete Fiutak: UNDER
Brandon Knapp: UNDER
Matthew Lounsberry: UNDER
Isaiah Hole: UNDER

Over/under unsportsmanlike conduct penalties (1.5)

Pete Fiutak: UNDER
Brandon Knapp: UNDER
Matthew Lounsberry: OVER
Isaiah Hole: OVER

FULL PREVIEW and PREDICTIONS on the NEXT PAGE!
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What Michigan State is saying about Michigan before their matchup

Michigan football takes on Michigan State this week, check out what the Spartan’s have been saying about the Wolverines before Saturday.

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Last year before the Michigan vs. Michigan State game, MSU had its players walk together with their arms locked down the field, and an altercation happened between them and former Michigan linebacker Devin Bush, and current linebacker Josh Uche as MSU head coach Mark Dantonio was seen smiling as it happened.

There was lots of talk after the game about the incident and both sides took jabs at one another. This year though, the talk has been quiet and quite respectful from both ends. Dantonio even said Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh was a Hall of Fame football coach. While Harbaugh praised Dantonio with his way of motivating players.

Besides saying Harbaugh is a Hall of Fame head coach, Dantonio had more to say about him and the Michigan football team.

“I think he does a great job,” Dantonio said. “I think he’s truly committed to every single play on the football field. He’s going to think outside the box. … You have seen him do different things in the past that create adjustments for you, and then you’re going to have to adjust within that football game. Is extremely competitive, intense. But you know, I think most coaches are.”

There hasn’t been much trash talk between the two schools this year, as both schools seem to want to move on from last year’s antics.

“I’ve chosen just to try and be respectful towards the rivalry and I sort of take the high road,” Dantonio said. “And, I think our players have tried to do that, as well. I’m sure there’s something going on always, but that’s the nature of this game a little bit too.”

Dantonio knows how intense the rivalry is between the two schools and how much the Spartans build it up in East Lansing.

“You’re going to compete against them in everything that we do, whether it’s recruits in the state or everything on the field, or on the basketball court or whatever it is, the hockey rink,” Dantonio said. “It’s the way this is built here.”

The players even know it as safety David Dowell added to what Dantonio had to say about the Wolverines.

“The one thing we talk about, even in the offseason, is do something every day to beat Michigan,” Dowell said.

Quarterback Brian Lewerke also spoke about the Wolverines as he’s played them three times already, and has been on both sides of the spectrum.

“Every game has had its ups and downs,” Lewerke said. “We’ve had games where we played well and games where we played bad and you kind of take what each gives you, I guess, and try and play well every time you go into the game.”

“It probably wasn’t until the first time I played back in ’16,” Lewerke said. “In ’15 I wasn’t part of that crazy game. I didn’t travel and didn’t really play in it, so I wasn’t really quite sure yet. But the first time you get game experience, that’s when it really hits you.”

Lewerke wants to finish his career with a winning record against Michigan, as he is 2-2 during his time in East Lansing.

“Obviously, a win would be incredible,” Lewerke said. “I’m sure that’s what everyone in our senior class would say coming into the last one. So that’s what we want to be able to do is get a win.”

Michigan takes on Michigan State at noon on Saturday in Ann Arbor and the game will be broadcasted on FOX.

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3 Things to Watch for Against Michigan State

Michigan football takes on Michigan State this week as the in-state rivalry gets renewed. Check out which three things you should watch for.

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Michigan is coming off a bye week this week as they got extra time to prepare for Michigan State before they play on Saturday. The battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy will happen once again and this year the story is different for both teams.

Michigan is coming in 7-2 with their Big Ten title and College Football Playoff hopes slim, they could still reach a New Year’s Six Bowl. Michigan State is coming in 4-5 with their bowl game chances up in the air, and coming off a 37-34 loss to Illinois after being up 28-3 stings even more.

Check out my three things to watch this week below.

1. What kind of Brian Lewerke will the Wolverines face?

Last year against Michigan, MSU quarterback Brian Lewerke had the worst game of his career, going 5/25 for 66 yards. His throws were off and he didn’t seem to have his kind of touch he usually has. That was partially due to a shoulder injury that he played through, this year that injury isn’t there and Lewerke is playing well.

So far this season, Lewerke has thrown for 2,012 yards for 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions, along with 265 rushing yards and a touchdown. Lewerke started the season great but has been on a downward trend recently, but he could certainly still turn it around against his rival.

Michigan doesn’t know what version of Lewerke they will take on this week, but they better prepare for his best as if they doubt Lewerke can do certain things, he can surprise them and attack with ease. In this game, you can’t doubt anybody and Lewerke will want to help get his team closer to a bowl game, and beating Michigan in the process is just icing on the cake.

2. Michigan must get the ground game going

The biggest thing that the Wolverines must do on offense this week is to get the ground game working. Michigan State has the 24th ranked defense, 16th when it comes to the rushing defense. Michigan might have some trouble getting things moving against the Spartan’s defense, but they will have to find some cracks in the foundation if they want to win this game.

Michigan State linebacker Joe Bachie is already suspended for a failed drug test, so his presence in the run defense won’t be there but that doesn’ mean it will be a cakewalk. The Wolverines will have running backs, Hassan Haskins and Zach Charbonnet to deal some damage to the tough Spartan’s run defense.

Michigan has had struggles running the football this year, but recently it’s been their strength, putting up 303 yards on Notre Dame three weeks ago. If Michigan can get this ground game working, it will open more doors for the offense.

3. Who starts at kicker?

Michigan has had a kicker battle all year long. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said both kickers, Jake Moody and Quinn Nordin, were in a rotation to begin the season. As the season progressed though, we saw Moody be the lone kicker for two straight games, hinting that he won the job. After a missed kick against Maryland though, Nordin was the one on the field.

Nordin would finish the game as the kicker, and heading into the bye week the question would be who starts at kicker, or if the job was back on a rotation basis. Whoever comes out first to kick a field goal or extra point will be interesting, and if that same kicker comes out for the second attempt, you gotta believe they won the job. If the other kicker comes out for kick two, the rotation could be back.

The kicker is an important position and one that needs to have some consistency. This late into the season the position should already have been figured out, but with miscues and struggles it hasn’t been. Will it be figured out this week against MSU?

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5 Players to Watch Against Michigan State

Michigan football takes on Michigan State this week in the battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, who are the key players to watch for it?

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The biggest week for the state of Michigan when it comes to football is here. Michigan vs Michigan State. The Wolverines are coming off a bye week and with the extra week off they should be extra prepared for this game. The Spartans are coming off a 37-34 loss to Illinois, a game where they were up 28-3 and lost the lead.

The Spartans will be coming into this game upset and angry with themselves with the loss last week, and a win over Michigan would be the perfect cure for it. Michigan will be looking to keep its possible New Year’s Six Bowl hopes alive as they continue their recent hot streak after losing to Penn State.

Before you watch the game on Saturday, check out these five players you should watch when the action unfolds.

1. QB Shea Patterson – MICHIGAN

Last season against Michigan State, Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson went 14/25 for 212 yards for two touchdowns. This year he’d like a similar, if not better performance in front of the home crowd against his in-state rival. It won’t be easy though as this is Michigan State’s biggest game of the year. It doesn’t help that the Spartans are 4-5 either, as a loss will put them to the brink of being bowl ineligible.

MSU doesn’t want to avoid a bowl game, so winning this game will be even more important as a loss would mean they need to finish the game on a two-game winning streak to play in a bowl game in December. Patterson and the offense is going up against the 24th ranked defense and with desperation and grit in the Spartans mindset, their effort will be turned up to 11 for this game.

For Michigan State’s offense, their quarterback could be dangerous with his arms and legs…
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