MSU ummm weekend

In state rivals preview: Don't believe the hype edition. Aka "a mili" reasons to take the under.

Denard Robinson is a really, really fast running back. He looks even faster, even more elusive, even more unstoppable when playing an undersized and overhyped uCONNartist, notre so gooda*, UMASSive distraction from basketball, bowlingMacNcheese, and Indiana. IU is, by far, the best team umm has played this year. Lil' Wayne and Desmond Howard are still proud of their offspring.

ummm has been outgained (total offensive yardage) by two opponents and has given up: 343, 535, 439, 283, and 568 yards on defense. The 283 (to Bowling Green) looks good, until you realize that BGSU was held to 176 total yards the following week against mighty Buffalo. In other words, Michigan's defense sucks. Bad. Sieves are sending the umm defense thank you's.

But you all know that. We also know that D.Robinson is quick, fast and is susceptible to kryptonite.** Not only does he not put his pants on one leg at a time, he doesn't wear pants. He won the 2011 Heisman last week by -- surprise -- running the ball a LOT against Indiana. He also threw the ball a lot, which, in all fairness and sarcasm, is also very difficult against IU.

Is Denard the best player in the country thus far? Absolutely. I guess my point it this: he cannot maintain this level of play on his own. He can't continue running the ball this often with their backloaded schedule. He cannot continue to be that efficient a passer because, well, he's not a passer. He is a running back that has thrown all over a bunch of crap defenses loading up the box. It just isn't realistic to think he can continue to pile up these nasty stats. 1. The defenses get much, much better. 2. He will get hurt and/or tired. 3. Statistics bear out that turnovers become more and more likely with each game, each series, each down. He can't remain this flawless. Tebow had a LOT of talent around him that had to be respected. The defense was also very good. Finally, check Michael Vick's stock if you don't believe me. Flying high, everyone on the bus. Bruised ribs, out 3 weeks, "told you he couldn't last." FREEP asks "can MSU make Denard Look Human?" I say, he is bound to look human very, very soon. Vegas won't even take that money.

MSU still has a crap secondary. Also, if I hear one more time that the MSU defense held Wisconsin's Clay "in check" I might puke. Clay was hurt. It was obvious he could not cut. The shifty, faster, younger White ripped MSU up once he got past the line of scrimmage. That will be more telling than the performance against Clay, I'm afraid. Speed kills, especially for teams that aren't in position or have to over-commit to the pass. The only saving grace is umm's offensive line is NOT anywhere near as good as Wisconsin's. Also, what has hurt the MSU DE's so far will help in this game (if reined in). Speed and pursuit up field will pay off if it is turned in to lateral movement. That is, use that speed to get outside blocks and contain, use the LB's to fill gaps up the middle. Make him throw. If he runs, hit him. If he runs and pitches, hit him. If he rolls out to throw, hit him.

MSU is still getting suspect play from their QB. Cousins is not playing anywhere near the level I expected. He takes bad, bad sacks. Then he does the opposite, forcing terrible throws. I just don't get it.

In all fairness, ummm's matchups this year have been especially bad for this defense. Their competition is shifty, spreads it around, the throw, throws, throws the ball. That puts ummm's db's under pressure. Their db's are, well, in prison, on other college rosters, in the canadian football league, or in their 3rd practice after learning about walk on tryouts during chem lab. They. Are. Bad. How bad? They WISH they had Jaren Hayes.

That is exactly why I am worried. What do they have to lose? Blitz. Guess. Overplay. Hand check. Take chances. I mean, what is your other option, play straight up and get beat anyways?

MSU's running game needs to be strong with the ball. The play calling has to be solid, on both sides of the ball, but not overly cute. The receivers HAVE to hold on to the ball. The kicking game (punting, coverage, and field goals) has to be neutral (do not be the hero or the goat). Finally, the penalties cannot be umm's 12th man. Keep the penalties to a minimum.

My odds predictions. UM misses at least one field goal or extra point that it should make. Ghoulston makes a big play. Nichol makes a key play. ummm's defense is not as bad as usual. Rucker gets a big, big hit on Robinson off a corner blitz.

Make it:

MSU - 35

UM - 28

*Especially without the starting QB for 1/2 the game. Michigan owes the Montana kid****a big, big thank you.

**Is kryptonite Green?*** Yes, in fact, it is.

***Does a blind man fart in the dark?

** **Not hannah, but close.