.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Michigan Football: Three Keys to Beating Michigan State
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan football is widely expected to beat Michigan State this Saturday. Here are three things the Wolverines must do to make it happen.
Coming into the season, many Michigan football fans had Oct. 29 circled on their calendars. Now, as the Michigan State game is just a day away, some of the hype has subsided.
That doesn’t mean that the Wolverines and their fans aren’t excited about the game — trust me, they are.
Yet, some of the luster is gone thanks to the Spartans poor start.
As an avid Wolverines fan myself, I would much rather see a Spartans team in the top-25 Saturday, then the 2-5 mess that awaiting Michigan in East Lansing.
Why? A couple reasons.
For one, it would have made the win for Michigan football (if they get it) that much sweeter. Secondly, a potential loss wouldn’t be nearly as bad.
Regardless, Michigan is the better team. There’s no debate about that. The Wolverines are superior in just about every way. Now, they need to prove it.
As we all know, rivalry games sometimes bring out the best in bad teams. Michigan State isn’t good right now, but it needs a win to save its season, meaning MSU will be motivated.
The Wolverines should be plenty motivated too. They have a clear chance at the Big Ten Championship and are right in the thick of the National Title hunt.
Beyond that, Michigan football is out for revenge. Here are three things it needs to do to get it.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan will need to pound the rock
If there is one thing Michigan football needs to do against Michigan State, it’s win the line of scrimmage, on both sides of the ball.
The Wolverines ground game is often underrated and it may surprise some to know that its averaging 257 yards per game, second in the Big Ten.
Yet, when considering UM’s slew of running backs that includes De’Veon Smith, Chris Evans, Ty Isaac, Karon Higdon and now Drake Johnson, it should hardly be as a surprise.
Michigan’s top four backs, Smith, Evans, Isaac and Higdon are all averaging at least 5.2 yards per carry and have combined for 16 rushing touchdowns. The team has a total of 26.
Historically, Michigan State has been stout against the run. But this season, the Spartans are eighth in the Big Ten. That means Michigan should be able to take advantage and control the tempo.
Establishing a running game will help Wilton Speight get comfortable and will open up the play-action passing game that has proven to be so effective.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan can’t afford turnovers
If there is one thing that can give Michigan State a chance Saturday, it’s turnovers. And that’s why limiting them, will be a huge factor for Michigan football.
Speight, who hasn’t necessarily been a superstar this year, has been great at taking care of the ball. He doesn’t take tons of chances and has only tossed three interceptions because of it.
wolverines
GBMWolverine 1 dMichigan Football vs Michigan State: 3 Predictions for the Wolverines
More headlines around FanSided:
2d - Week 8 College Football Power Rankings2d - Michigan Football: Getting to Know the Michigan State Spartans3d - Michigan Football: How A Win Over Michigan State Could Still Underwhelm3d - Michigan Fans Can Buy Face Value Tickets For The College Football Playoff Right Now on ShooWin3d - Fans Can Buy Face Value Tickets For Big Games Right Now on ShooWinMore News at GBMWolverine
Through seven games, Michigan has just five turnovers. Michigan State, on the other hand, has 13.
The Spartans have also forced just nine turnovers defensively, while the Wolverines have turned over opponents 12 times.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that turnover margin is important. Michigan comes in at plus seven. Michigan State is negative four.
If those trends continue Saturday and Michigan football wins the turnover battle, then a Spartans upset, has little chance of happening.
Michigan State is clearly the inferior team and to compete with one of the most talented teams in the country, the Spartans will need a few bounces — literally — to go their way.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Win on special teams
It goes without saying that Michigan will need to play well on defense to beat the Spartans. But one area where the Wolverines need to excel, is on special teams.
I don’t think we need to remind anyone of what happened on the final play of last year’s debacle to know emphasize the importance of the kicking game.
Obviously, the Wolverines have a huge advantage with Jabrill Peppers returning punts and kicks. Yet, in other areas, such as kicking field goals, UM hasn’t been so solid.
If the game is close, which it really shouldn’t be, one reason may be hidden yards or points in the kicking game.
The truth is both teams struggle when it comes to field goals. Michigan is 6-of-10, Michigan State is 5-of-8. So neither team wants to settle for three points, because it becomes a dicey proposition.
The bottom line for Michigan State, is that it will need turnovers and possibly some big special teams plays to have a chance.
This Michigan football team is simply too good to fall to the Spartans without making some colossal errors.
Last season, those errors came in the kicking game and if the Wolverines are going to beat Michigan State, those mistakes must be avoided.
A punt or kick return touchdown from Peppers wouldn’t hurt either. But either way, if UM can win in the kicking game, it reduces the chances of an upset even further.
More from GBMWolverine
This article originally appeared on 
