Blue By Ninety - Can Michigan Save Their Season With a Win Over Michigan State?

Episode Date: October 23, 2024

Justin is joined by the guys at Spartan Avenue to discuss the upcoming Michigan - Michigan State game.

All right, welcome back to Blue by 90. I'm Justin and I have a few special guests with me today from the rivals. So they, you know, not so friendly this week. It is Michigan, Michigan State week, but I've got a couple Spartys that are joining us to preview the game. We've got Brendan Moore and Paul from Spartans Illustrated. They're staff writers over there. So go check out SpartansIllustrated.com and take a look at their work. And we're here because this is Rivals for a Cause week. If you haven't seen it yet, go to RivalsForACause.com. We are raising funds for the Mott Children's Hospital. It's something that the North Peak Brewing Company has put forth an effort year after year. They're obviously our partner with Hale IPA.

They also have a Sparta IPA. So they've got, they represent both sides. And we are working to raise funds for Mott Children's Hospital, is connected to sparrow hospital in east lansing as well um so trying to make this rivalry even though uh there's a lot of hatred in it trying to come together here uh for a good cause as well so you can go to rivals for a cause.com and uh make sure that you donate uh and you know whether you're you're green and white or amazing blue um it's all going, you know, to the children. So we appreciate all your support there. So, Brendan, Paul, appreciate you guys for joining me here today. Thanks for having us on.

Of course, of course. So I don't know. So it's been a long time. Paul, you said you're the self-appointed stats guy analytics guy um i saw a stat out there i can't remember exactly what it was when was the last time that michigan and michigan state both were unranked in this game do you know that one offhand off the top of my head no i um it might be 2012 but i'm just kind of making that up brandon you look i think you i think i saw 2009 on

twitter somewhere i think i don't know i don't remember who had the stat but i think i saw it was 2009 yeah i create my own ranking so i don't care what other people write there you go i like it um i like it but um yeah i mean unfortunately like not gonna be the top 10 matchup that we had in in 2021 um or anything like that uh and um both teams have have struggled and played well this year up to this point i would say you know after this past week you know michigan state uh beating iowa is on the um is on the rise for sure and michigan state or michigan you know very much struggling so it'll be interesting for sure, and Michigan very much struggling. So it'll be interesting for sure to see how they go into this game. So I'll start with you guys, but I would have to imagine

that you're feeling a lot better than you did to start the season going into this week, right? Yeah, absolutely. I mean, Jonathan smith one thing he talked about like right from the get-go when he got hired at michigan state is this team is going to improve on a week-to-week basis again i remember week one against fau that was late august we're coming out of that game that michigan state won 16 to 10 uh there's a lot of turnovers we're coming out of the game thinking like we don't know if this team's going to make a bowl.

There's a lot of uncertainty, a lot of skepticism, to be honest. And then they go out next week, beat Maryland, played a really good game, still some turnover issues, and then had a tough loss against Boston College, still some turnover issues and such. And they're never going to beat Oregon or Ohio State. But I thought they looked really good coming out of the bye week against Iowa. They looked like they were a team that was well-prepared, that they won the bye week,

which they constantly stressed throughout that off period as we got to win the bye week. We got to prepare for Iowa really well. We know what they're going to do. They're going to want to run the football. I thought they were well-coached in that game. They were well-prepared. I do think this team still has room to improve, which could possibly raise some concern for Michigan fans here. Yeah, and I would agree with that, Brennan. I think, you know, as you said, a little bit of a rough start to the season. Then they seem to be building. They had a tough loss at Boston College in the game.

They frankly should have won. They had a bad interception at the end. I think our young freshman, Aiden Childs, kind of panicked and just sort of almost struck the Hail Mary into the end zone when he had, he really didn't need to. And then actually in the first half of the Ohio state game, Michigan state actually moved the ball very effectively against the Buckeyes for four straight drives. Now the problem is they only got one, they only got one touchdown out of it. They had kept having turnovers,

but they could have very easily had a lead going into halftime at that game. After that, in the second half, the wheels fell off, and then they flew out to Oregon, you know, 2,000 miles away, and they just got rolled. I mean, they looked uncompetitive in that game against Oregon. And so it was a question of, you know, which version of the Spartans is the real team? Was it the first half against Ohio State, or is that what we saw against Oregon, what we're going to see for the rest of the season? And I think, you know, as a very pleasant surprise, they came out against Iowa looking very, very sharp.

Again, moving the ball against a very good defense consistently. They didn't punt a single time against Iowa, and they only had one turnover. So, I mean, the concern is still they got six field goals, which means they're not quite getting all the way to the end zone. But moving the ball that well and not having to punt against an Iowa defense is still pretty damn impressive. Yeah, it was. They showed surprisingly good rush defense, which I think

is going to be another key this week. They did let out a late 75-yard scamper from Iowa's very talented running back. That's a concern because they kept that bottled up the whole game. And then in the fourth quarter, they let one go. That'll be a good stat to watch because I think Michigan's runoff has also been explosive from time to time. But, you know, the some of the mistakes we saw earlier in the season, we're not seeing now, or at least we're seeing them in a greatly diminished form. So that's very encouraging. Yeah, you know, it is interesting. I think it's one of those things

that I think fans just in general in sports have a hard time being patient, right. Being patient, it's automatic, you know, and that's been the same for Michigan fans as well. You know, you saw what Sherell Moore was able to do in 2023 for Michigan when he stepped in for Jim Harbaugh, you know, against Penn state State Maryland and Ohio State to end the year I think a lot of fans just said uh you know they thought okay he's just gonna come in and do that and we're gonna build and you know even though you lose Jim Harbaugh you lose the entire offense and you lose the entire defensive staff like we're just gonna keep building and that's not what happened um and so I think, you know, you guys mentioned,

Brendan, you mentioned just trying to get better week after week. That has not been what Michigan has been doing. In fact, it seems like they've regressed in a lot of ways throughout the year, which I think is most of Michigan fans like cause for concern. You know, if we were just losing games

because, hey, we lost everybody, our best coach maybe of all time, you know, left for the NFL, lost our top 10, you know, QB, lost one Michigan team. And you're struggling, you know, because of, you know, penalties, you're struggling because of turnovers, you know, just mental mistakes, different things like that. So I think that that's why everyone's, you know, has a, has a cause of concern for Michigan. So coming from you guys to, you know, going into this, what would be, you know, Paul, you mentioned the run into this, what would be, you know, Paul, you mentioned the run game.

I have to imagine this is it. But what's your biggest concern about Michigan going into this team and saying, all right, hey, we're going to really struggle against that part of Michigan's game? I think it's the run game. I mean, when you look at Michigan, I think they have a really strong interior defensive line, Mason Graham and all them. So I think establishing a run game is something that Michigan State was not able to do against Oregon and not really against Ohio,

say something that they really struggled with and kind of forced the ball out of Aiden Childs-Hansel because he is prone to making some mistakes here and there. I know he only had one pick against Iowa, and he's only had one pick in the last two games, which is promising, but he still makes some of those and there. I know he only had one pick against Iowa, and he's only had one pick in the last two games, which is promising, but he still makes some of those shaky throws. There was one incompletion that it fell right through

an Iowa defensive back's hand, so he really should have had two picks. So I think Michigan State having a balanced offense, getting that run game going, I think that's going to be the key in this football game. Yeah, biggest concern from a Michigan State perspective has got to be getting that run game going against a strong Michigan interior. Yeah, I would agree with that. I did mention the run defense,

which I think will be important. And I think the Spartans will, you know, be up to the task much of the time, but again, you know, it only takes one or two plays for the game to get away from you. And I think also just Aiden child's decision-making Brennan touched on this, but you know, if he can come out of the game with one interception or less, I think the Spartans have a very good chance. But also just the pressure that Michigan's D-line can put on Childs. He is very much a dual threat and he is a very elusive runner. But if he doesn't have a lot of time to throw, that can unravel any offense. So those would be my additional concerns. Yeah, Paul, I would agree with that. I think the key to Michigan stopping Michigan State's offense is if Wink Martindale can,

and he hasn't really proven this yet, to be honest, but if he can allow Kenneth Graham, Mason Graham, Josiah Stewart, Derek Moore to just say, all right, we're going to drop our linebackers and secondary. We'll cover that. Let those guys get after Aiden Childs. I think if they can get to the QB without having to blitz a ton, I do think that changes the game for Michigan because, you know, with a young quarterback who is, you know, turnover prone, has had trouble with decision-making, obviously improving, but still, you know, having trouble at times.

You know, this is what Michigan's D-line defense did to Jalen Milrow in the Rose Bowl last year, right? It was they got after him, and Jalen Milrow had no time, didn't know what to do. You know, that's what you want to see if you're a Michigan fan in this game is, all right, let's get to Aiden Childs early, you know, have the crowd into it have him come into an opposing stadium first time in a Michigan Michigan State game and say all right

hey welcome to the show a little bit but we're going to be after you all day long I think that that's for sure what uh Michigan's defense is going to try to do uh and then on the offensive side of the ball I mean gosh, gosh, hard to say. It feels like you mentioned Iowa. It's hard to say, hey, Michigan's offense is looking worse than Iowa's offense right now. That's a tough thing to come out of my mouth as a Michigan fan currently, but that's the truth.

And Terrell Moore even said this week he doesn't fully know who's going to be the quarterback. It sounds like Jack Tuttle is the leader in the clubhouse right now to start still on Saturday, despite having some struggles versus, you know, really in the past few games that he's played. So I think that, you know, I do think that Michigan's got to just say, hey, Kalal Mullings is a dog, and we need to give it to him and just pound it and keep doing that. And I think, Paul, to your point about the late run from Iowa, I wonder if Michigan's offensive line can just continue to pound and wear them down and break one open at some point.

Yeah, that's certainly possible. One of the big surprises for me this season is michigan state's interior defensive line and just the defense like the front seven in general because michigan state lost two of their best players on the d line in the spring in the transfer portal simeon barrow went to miami uh derrick harman's at oregon killing it over there but i'm i'm been surprised at how well they've played it. They play aggressive. They pursue the football really well, gang tackling,

all that good stuff. So, so Michigan's going to have their hands full kind of on offense. I know that it's pretty obvious to say, considering how, how they've looked throughout the year, but I think Tuttle would probably be the guy I would go with. If I was Sharon Moore,

if I was Michigan, I just think his ability with his arm kind of gives you a little bit something different than orgy. Cause you know, with with orgy they're not going to throw it very often so I think Tuttle have at least a slight threat with his arm and the Mullings I think is a really good back so I mean you know he's probably going to turn the ball over maybe once maybe twice I do think we're going to see a lot like a fair amount of turnovers in this game probably combined three four maybe even five so yeah i think the the other factor that could be interesting i mean michigan's last two losses did both come in the road

and that was after starting i believe what five home games in a row yep um and so the chance to come home is always a chance to regroup um and well you know the spartans have played quite a few road games especially they've had a lot of travel actually already so far this year they're kind of used to that road game night environment but you know the emotional side of this is always you know complex very important and hard to predict totally um and if you think about you know you know beating iowa was a big step for the spartans because you know just getting to six wins in a bowl game was a was a big goal and now with the schedule breaking out you know we still have games against purdue and against rutgers's kind of, you know, flailing right now.

So getting the six wins seems very achievable. And so is there that, you know, subtle kind of deep breath of like, ah, you know, we kind of got over the hump. Whereas Michigan, now they're kind of fighting for their lives. You know, the schedule, the remaining schedule for the Wolverines is very challenging. And I think, you know, they're probably going to be double digit underdogs and what, at least three games on, and, you know, at Indiana being a double digit underdog can believe that, but I think that's possible if not likely. And so how does that emotional aspect factor in our, you know, if Michigan comes in the hungrier team, then that'll obviously play very much into their favor.

Yeah. I think it's tough because, you a year ago this team is you know rolling onto you know into they they didn't obviously they faced adversity in each game but they never had their backs against the wall like they do right now um you know and it's like I I think it's tough to go from being on top of the world to all of a sudden being like, hey, we might not make a bowl game. And it's tough to rally the troops. I think that when you're in Michigan State's position where it's, hey, we already saw rock bottom last year. You know, we only know, we can only go up here and we're going to build and build and build.

Whereas Michigan saw, you know, the absolute ceiling and it's dropping, right? And so those two things, to your point, Paul, mentally are, you know, I think for Michigan, it's really tough to deal with. And when you have guys, uh, now I'm not saying they're doing this, but I think it's a tendency of college athletes to say, all right, you know, you've got a guy in Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Will Johnson that are going to be first round draft picks next year. It's pretty easy. once you go four and three to start looking at, all right,

the draft looks really good. You know, I'm going to make $30 million or whatever it is in six months. You know, I already got my natty ring, right? So I accomplished what I wanted to, you know, when I decided to commit to Michigan. So I think to your point, it's, you know, can Michigan rally the troops and say, hey, we want to salvage something out of this season. And it,

you know, maybe beating Michigan State can be one of those things that says, hey, at least we have Paul Bunyan, right? At least that's something that we can hang our hat on for that season. Because I do think that, you know, to be honest, there's pressure on Michigan right now. This is a win-win for Michigan State, in my opinion. You were never supposed to win this game going into the season. It was like a 24-point spread to start the year or something like that. So I think that Michigan State's going into this like, we've got nothing to lose. If we go into Michigan and beat them, you know,

a year removed from winning a natty, like we're already on a good projection for the Jonathan Smith era. Whereas Michigan's like, it's a can't lose game because of, you know, embarrassment, I guess is the best word to put it. Because like, you know, you don't want to be that team that loses to MSU when you have a natty ring that's still in the, you know, still fresh in the box from nine months ago. Yeah.

I think we're going to find way more about Michigan this week than we will about Michigan state. How is this team going to respond when their back is right up against that wall, right? We're four and three coming off national championship. You guys alluded to do it, Not going to beat a dead horse, but I think we're going to find out a lot more about Michigan this week, see how they respond.

Another factor is, is Will Johnson going to play? I mean, he's questionable. Shremor said it, I think, a couple days ago. So he's questionable. He's one of those future NFL players on Michigan's defense. And I do think Michigan in general, they have more top-end NFL talent than Michigan State on their roster. So I think those guys got to rise up

and play really well for this Michigan team. And if they do that, I think Michigan has a better chance at winning, obviously. But Will Johnson is going to be a key because Michigan State, they do have some playmakers at wide receiver. Nick Marsh has been really good this year as a true freshman.

So Will Johnson playing for Michigan, that's another key. Yep, absolutely. good this year as a true freshman so will johnson playing for michigan that's another key yep absolutely i am glad josh that you put it on the record that beating michigan state will either make or break michigan's entire season so thank you for saying thank you for finally that's nice to hear i i mean at this point uh i first of all i'm not one of those people that says like the michigan state rivalry doesn't matter. Like those people are the dumbest people on, on Twitter on earth, because it obviously matters. There, there's no doubt that it matters.

You know, is it still, you know, at least the last three years, was it secondary to the Ohio state rivalry? Yes. Because that game did in the last three years, or break Michigan and Ohio State seasons, right? And ultimately, you can care a lot about both games, right? You know, I still think it's funny because the Michigan-Ohio State game being at the end of the year a lot of times does determine a lot of things. But with the Michigan-Michigan State game always being around this time, midway through the season it does determine the trajectory for a lot of seasons for both teams right if you win this game you're you know

sometimes battling for the Big Ten championship if you lose it you're out of the race right and vice versa and I think that you know just in general this rivalry has been you know it has been more like the Michigan Ohio State rivalry has been like all it has been more like the michigan ohio state rivalry has been like all right who's the top dog in the in the big 10 at least in the last right three years right before that we all know it was a decade of without michigan beating them but for the michigan michigan state it's been back and forth it's been five and five in the last decade right so it's it's know, neck and neck. And it's funny because, you know, some of those are blowout wins. Some of those are, you know, right, you know, 2021, right?

So it's, you know, it definitely is interesting. But I think that, like, you know, I do think that Michigan State fans, I don't want to get canceled, not canceled for this. I don't want to get dogged for this by Michigan State fans, I don't want to get canceled, not canceled for this. I don't want to get dogged for this by Michigan State fans, but I think Michigan State fans care about this rivalry more than Michigan fans. Is that fair to say, or is that going to get me into some trouble? I don't think it'll get you into some trouble. I think Michigan is on a higher,

this rivalry is on a higher priority list for Michigan State than it is Michigan, because Michigan obviously has that rivalry with Ohio State. We know how nationally significant that has been over the past few years. So I think in terms of priorities, I think this rivalry is on the higher priority list for Michigan State. Yeah. I mean, I think we all realize that not all teams need to view rivalries the same way.

But I think there tends realize that, you know, not all teams need to view rivalries the same way. But I think, you know, there's a happens there's tends to be a tendency with among some Michigan fans to use that idea that Ohio State's really the really the only rivalry that matters is kind of an emotional crutch for the 50 percent of the time that you haven't come out on top in the last 25 years. That's for sure I I think you know for me if there if we had gone eight and two over the past decade or something like that then you can say you know okay this rivalry doesn't matter quote-unquote if you're a Michigan fan but when it's neck and neck and you know we're two years removed we're both in it it was a top 10 game playing for the big 10. Right. And, um, so it's crazy to me to think that I think that I'm, I'm also a guy from Grand Rapids where there are a lot of Spartys in Grand Rapids. So like I was growing up,

the Michigan Michigan state rivalry was bigger to me than Michigan Ohio state, especially because, you know because me growing up, Michigan didn't beat Ohio State that often. I'm not one of those guys that's going to say, this rivalry, it doesn't matter. Ohio State's our real rival, blah, blah, blah. They can both be big rivals. They both are big rivals, and this game does mean a lot.

I think this game has recruiting implications. I also think for Jonathan Smith, if he comes in and beats Michigan in year one, he has the backing of every Michigan State fan, no matter if you lose the rest of your games for the rest of the year. You have to do that. And I wish, honestly, and I hope that it's like this way, that I hope that Michigan at some point realizes, you need to take this rivalry so seriously that it's like this way that I hope that Michigan at some point realizes like you need to take this rivalry so seriously that it's like, we're never going to lose that game.

We're never going to lose that game to Michigan state. We're going to own the rivalry. And then, you know, that really, you have to start there and then that can springboard you to higher, you know, things, but you have to, you know, Jim Harbaugh always said it, you have to beat the state schools, Michigan state, Penn state, and Ohio state. Those are the three keys to winning the big 10. Now, obviously you bring in Oregon to the fold. So things are a little bit different in the big 10, but no,

this rivalry I'll leave it at that. This rivalry matters. 100%. Absolutely. No, I can't wait for Saturday. It matters for both teams. So really. absolutely no i can't wait for saturday it matters for both teams so really absolutely so yeah um appreciate you guys coming on uh if you're a sparty fan watching this please go to spartansillustrated.com and check out paul and brendan's stuff their staff writers over there um they've got a great crew and put out great content. And then, you know, if you have the means, please go to RivalsForACause.org. I screwed it up in the first to read. So RivalsForACause.org, please head over there and donate to Mott Children's Hospital

and head to North Peak Brewing, head to Pretzel Bell in Ann Arbor, head to Jolly Pumpkin in East Lansing. They are donating this week a dollar from each purchase of Hale IPA and Sparta IPA to Mount Children's Hospital. So we appreciate everyone's support. Brandon, Paul, appreciate you guys coming on. And looking forward to Saturday. Looking forward to Saturday.

We'll also be at Pretzel bell on Friday night, right? So we'll be there doing a live podcast with both blue by 90 and the Spartans illustrated guys. So come out there and whether you're wearing green or wearing blue, please come out and hang out with us, have a beer and you know, everything will go to a good cause. So appreciate you guys coming on and we'll talk to you guys soon. Thanks Justin. Thank you.