Written By: Case Conley
Michigan and Michigan State are trending in completely opposite directions as we hit the halfway point of the season. The Wolverines are preparing for another road game and the Spartans are welcoming a top 3 team into Spartan Stadium.
Michigan at Indiana
The Wolverines stay on the road and head into Bloomington to take on Indiana. The Hoosiers are sitting at 3-2 but have lost their last two games to Cincinnati and Nebraska. Michigan is a 22.5-point favorite on Saturday. Michigan’s dominant rushing attack should be ready to feast on an Indiana team who has given up 420 yards per game which is bottom 25 in the nation. Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy might have a chance to break out through the air as well as the Hoosiers are bottom 15 in the country in passing yards allowed. Offensively, Indiana is a very one-sided offense with a really good passing game but one of the worst rushing attacks in the Big 10. Indiana will have to learn on quarterback Connor Bazelek to beat this Michigan defense that did struggle with Maryland’s passing offense two weeks ago. However Michigan is just the better team. Blake Corum will set the tone on the ground early and expect McCarthy to make some plays throwing down the field. Michigan will roll the Hoosiers, cover the spread, and stay undefeated.
Michigan 45, Indiana 17
Michigan State vs Ohio State
After three straight losses, the Spartans will get no favors as they welcome undefeated Ohio State into East Lansing. The Buckeyes are 26.5-point road favorites and look to continue their dominant play. Michigan State’s secondary will have one of the best passing attacks in the nation on their doorstep led by Heisman candidate CJ Stroud. The Buckeye offense should have no problem with this struggling defense. The Michigan State offense has to figure it out if they want to keep it close. Ohio State has one of the strongest rushing defenses in the country so Peyton Thorne will have to test the young secondary of the Buckeyes. Jayden Reed and Keon Coleman will have to make plays on the outside to give the Spartans a chance. Special teams will be important as MSU has had one of the best punters in the country with Bryce Baringer; however, the field goal unit struggled with two missed field goals by two different kickers last week. Jayden Reed will have to provide some explosive plays in the return game as well. Ohio State is a well-oiled machine and the offense has been clicking scoring at least 45 points in the last 4 games. This is Ohio State’s first road game of the season so the first couple of possessions might be sloppy, but then Stroud will take over.
Ohio State 42, Michigan State 14
Written By: Case Conley – Michigan Sports Network Intern
Photo Courtesy of: FOX5 NY
