Can Michigan compete? Is there something on the field today, a reminder for Michigan's players hidden in the turf? A reminder of why we play this game, and what there is to be gained by standing up after falling down? Of what is at stake every year, every single year, a reminder of the worth of a single brick, or who we can be if we are inspired to build something?
Redemption and victory may be hidden in the jaws of the Spartans' attack, but only if we assert our will against their defense, just as we've asserted our will against them so many times before. But that history does not matter. There is only today. Redemption goes to the victor.
Must Reads
How to witness
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Radio: WWJ, AM Radio 950, Sirius Radio, Channel 113, and XM radio, Channel 195.
Online streaming: Available on Watch ESPN and MGoBlue.com.
The numbers
Michigan State excels on first and third down defense (3rd nationally in each category). They pace the Big Ten in sacks (3rd nationally), time of possession (1st nationally), turnover margin (3rd nationally), scoring offense (3rd nationally), sacks, preventing tackles for loss, preventing sacks, and winning percentage.
Michigan, meanwhile, has stalled in the land of potential. They lead the Big Ten in avoiding penalties.
Three names to know
Shilique Calhoun has star power - and lately, so has his teammate, Marcus Rush. But Michigan State's co-leader in sacks is linebacker Ed Davis, who has replaced three-year starter Denicos Allen and done so fantastically. He has helped produce a tackle for loss in every game this year, and his blitzes and aggression are potent weapons on Dantonio's defense.
For Michigan, it all starts and ends with the Twin Towers, Devin Funchess and Jake Butt. Funchess is smaller at 6'5", 230, and JB sits at 6'6", 249 without pads. Michigan State's pass defense is weaker than in years past, but even if it wasn't these two would hold the keys to the game. If Devin Gardner can get them the ball with easy throws, consistently, without turnovers, it will keep the ball out of Jeremy Langford's and Connor Cook's hands.
A Recommendation
Bleed Maize and Blue.
Thu, Oct. 23, 2014 | Time (ET) | TV |
Connecticut @ (18) East Carolina | 7:00 PM | ESPNU |
Miami (FL) @ Virginia Tech | 8:00 PM | ESPN |
Fri, Oct. 24, 2014 | Time (ET) | TV |
South Florida @ Cincinnati | 7:00 PM | ESPN2 |
Troy @ South Alabama | 7:30 PM | ESPNU |
Brigham Young @ Boise State | 9:00 PM | ESPN |
(6) Oregon @ California | 10:00 PM | FS1 |
Sat, Oct. 25, 2014 | Time (ET) | TV |
UAB @ Arkansas | 12:00 PM | SECN |
Minnesota @ Illinois | 12:00 PM | ESPNU |
Texas @ (11) Kansas State | 12:00 PM | ESPN |
Rutgers @ (16) Nebraska | 12:00 PM | ESPN2 |
Maryland @ Wisconsin | 12:00 PM | BTN/BTN2 |
North Texas @ Rice | 12:00 PM | FSN |
Memphis @ Southern Methodist | 12:00 PM | ESPNN |
North Carolina @ Virginia | 12:30 PM | ESPN3/ESPNGP |
San Jose State @ Navy | 1:00 PM | CBSS |
Northern Illinois @ Eastern Michigan | 1:00 PM | ESPN3 |
(25) UCLA @ Colorado | 2:00 PM | PACN |
Akron @ Ball State | 2:00 PM | ESPN3 |
Massachusetts @ Toledo | 2:00 PM | ESPN3/ESPNGP |
Ohio @ Western Michigan | 2:00 PM | ESPN3 |
Georgia Southern @ Georgia State | 2:00 PM | ESPN3 |
Kent State @ Miami (OH) | 2:30 PM | ESPN3 |
(1) Mississippi State @ Kentucky | 3:30 PM | CBS |
Michigan @ (8) Michigan State | 3:30 PM | ABC/ESPN3 |
Georgia Tech @ Pittsburgh | 3:30 PM | ESPNU |
Boston College @ Wake Forest | 3:30 PM | ESPN3/ESPNGP |
(22) West Virginia @ Oklahoma State | 3:30 PM | ESPN |
Texas Tech @ (10) TCU | 3:30 PM | FOX |
Oregon State @ Stanford | 3:30 PM | ESPN2 |
Florida Atlantic @ (23) Marshall | 3:30 PM | FS1 |
Louisiana Tech @ Southern Miss | 3:30 PM | AMSN |
Central Michigan @ Buffalo | 3:30 PM | ESPN3 |
Vanderbilt @ Missouri | 4:00 PM | SECN |
Old Dominion @ Western Kentucky | 4:00 PM | |
UNLV @ Utah State | 4:00 PM | ESPNN |
Temple @ UCF | 5:00 PM | CBSS |
(15) Arizona @ Washington State | 6:00 PM | PACN |
Syracuse @ (21) Clemson | 7:00 PM | ESPNU |
UTEP @ Texas-San Antonio | 7:00 PM | AMSN |
Wyoming @ Colorado State | 7:00 PM | ROOT |
Texas State @ Louisiana-Monroe | 7:00 PM | ESPN3/ESPNGP |
(3) Mississippi @ (24) LSU | 7:15 PM | ESPN |
(4) Alabama @ Tennessee | 7:30 PM | ESPN2 |
South Carolina @ (5) Auburn | 7:30 PM | SECN |
(13) Ohio State @ Penn State | 8:00 PM | ABC |
(20) USC @ (19) Utah | 10:00 PM | FS1 |
(14) Arizona State @ Washington | 10:45 PM | ESPN |
Nevada @ Hawaii | 11:59 PM | OCPV |