Through seven games, Michigan’s defense has kept most of the opposing rushers modest, but it’s given up far too many big plays to receivers.
This Saturday, defensive coordinator Greg Mattison’s men must tighten up in both areas if they’re to give the Wolverines (3-4, 1-2) a chance versus No. 8-ranked Michigan State in East Lansing.
Winners of five of the past six, the Spartans (6-1, 3-0) have the Big Ten’s No. 1-ranked scoring offense (47 PPG) and tout the league’s No. 2-ranked total offense: It’s entirely possible for Connor Cook, their quarterback, and Jeremy Langford, their running back, to set new season highs against Team 135, which gave up 404 passing yards to Rutgers’ Gary Nova and 183 rushing to Minnesota’s David Cobb.
The Spartans are fresh off a 56-17 dismantling of Indiana, while the Wolverines scored their first conference victory two weeks ago, downing Penn State 18-13. Judging by stats and recent history, Oct. 25’s duel along the Red Cedar could end up being incredibly lopsided.
Dynamic Players Set the Tone for MSU
Cook is 18-2 as a starter and has already crept into the upper echelon of Michigan State’s record books: With 4,490 yards, he’s No. 9 in total passing; his 39 passing touchdowns rank No. 7 in program history.
In short, the 6’4”, 218-pound junior, who is 11-0 versus the Big Ten, is becoming an elite Spartans quarterback, and he’s known for busting loose during big games.
Back in January, he threw for 304 yards and three scores during Michigan State’s 24-20 Rose Bowl win over Stanford. This season, he’s been one of the most talked about players in the Big Ten, steadily climbing up NFL prospect charts on a weekly basis.
Michigan will have its hands full with Cook, who threw for a modest but respectable 252 yards and rushed for a touchdown during his team’s 29-6 series victory in 2013—he gets it done through the air and on the ground.
Like Minnesota’s Cobb, Langford is one of the top backs in the country. His 664 yards are No. 6 in the Big Ten, which, on top of Langford and Cobb, features star running backs Melvin Gordon of Wisconsin and Tevin Coleman of Indiana.
In 2013, Langford, who's eclipsed 100 yards in each of the past four weeks, carried the ball 26 times for 120 yards and a touchdown against the Wolverines.
By now, one thing should be clear: Michigan State has a great quarterback and running back who will test Mattison’s No. 4-ranked total conference defense (301 YPG; No. 2 in rush D, 93.6 YPG).
But there’s more—much more.
Led by Tony Lippett, a senior, Michigan State’s receiving corps should regularly pester Jourdan Lewis, Blake Countess, Ray Taylor and the rest of the Wolverines secondary, which was burnt to a crisp by Rutgers.
And Notre Dame.
That was bad.
Prior to this season, defensive backs were thought to be one of Team 135’s strengths. However, Countess’ underperformance has hindered an otherwise solid position group.
Capping Lippett, Keith Mumphrey, Aaron Burbridge and Josiah Price, a tight end, should be the goal. Limiting Cook’s options is a surefire way to disrupt progress for a team that averages 8.9 yards per completion.
UM’s D Must Be MVP
The word—or one of them, at least—has been “together.” The defense especially has vocalized its chemistry for weeks on end. Countess and Lewis have each said that they believe in their secondary and vow to improve.
And the secondary has. But it’ll need to give more Saturday. The Spartans have 18 passing touchdowns, the second most in the Big Ten. With 11, Michigan is one of five in the league to give up 10 or more through the air.
Frank Clark, one of the team’s best linemen, has also expressed similar thoughts. He knows how good his defense can be. He just wants it to reach that level every week.
The 6’2”, 277-pound senior is known for playing with great emotion and energy. Taking a leading role through practices and meetings isn’t only a good idea, but it’s necessary.
The Wolverines need all the leadership they can get this week.
Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81
References to Clark, Lewis and Countess statements were obtained firsthand by the writer via press conference.
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