.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Michigan State Football: 5 reasons the Spartans can beat Michigan
Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) runs for yards after the catch during the 1st quarter of a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
It’s not likely, but here are five reasons why Michigan State football can beat the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines.
I’m not saying it’s likely. Heck, I’m really not all that confident that it’s possible after watching seven games, but there’s still a slim chance Michigan State football can pull off an upset over No. 2 Michigan on Saturday.
The Spartans come in with a 2-5 overall record and the Wolverines have an unblemished mark of 7-0 through eight weeks of the college football season. For one team, the year has been an overwhelming disappointment and for the other, the season is going exactly as planned, and hoped.
Michigan State players are still confident they can pull off an upset, as is head coach Mark Dantonio. In fact, he told the media this week that he likes his team’s chances, but fans are weary because of how they’ve looked to this point in the year.
Here are the five reasons why Michigan State can still beat Michigan, defying all odds.
5. Offensive line shakeups might finally work
Oct 22, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Brian Lewerke (14) led the offense against the Maryland Terrapins at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
The offensive line is a major area of concern heading into this game. Michigan’s front-seven is one of the best in the country and you know they’ll be heavily blitzing under Don Brown, exploiting the Spartans’ major offensive weakness.
However, Mark Dantonio has been implementing a few changes on the offensive line over the past few weeks and the guys who are getting serious looks might be better suited to start than those who began the season as No. 1s on the depth chart.
If changes like Thiyo Lukusa and Tyler Higby playing major snap counts and Kodi Kieler moving to left tackle and Brian Allen to center pay off, the Spartans could surprise Michigan with a better-than-expected offensive line.
Not saying that the changes will work, but if Michigan State hopes to even have a chance on Saturday afternoon, the offensive line better start acting as a strength of this team.
Oct 22, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) celebrates his touchdown run against the Maryland Terrapins at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
4. LJ Scott is getting his groove back
It was only one game, but there’s a growing trend with LJ Scott and the Spartans’ run game. The more he touches the ball, the more success the run game experiences and his chances of breaking 100 yards increase significantly.
In fact, each game that Scott has run the ball at least 20 times (three games) he has racked up 331 total yards and is averaging 5.3 per carry. In the four games in which he has carried it less than 20 times, he has picked up 133 total yards and is putting forth just 4.3 per touch. Moral of the story: get LJ the ball.
Michigan State did just that against Maryland on Saturday as he had 20 carries for 128 yards and a touchdown, including the longest run of his career. If he can get his groove back and use that in the Michigan game against one of the stingiest defenses in college football, the Spartans’ offense could keep the Wolverines on their toes.
Right now, Michigan is probably expecting to shut down the pass with ease, but if Michigan State can add a successful run element — with a potentially improved O-line — then it will be tougher for the Wolverines to game plan against.
It might be a long day for the Spartan offense against this defense, but as long as Scott gets the ball early and often, he can rack up some positive yardage and take pressure off whoever starts under center.
Oct 8, 2016; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Jabrill Peppers (5) carries the ball to score a touchdown during their game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
3. Making an effort to win field position battle
Against Michigan last season, the Spartans didn’t do a very good job of trying to win the field position battle. Michigan consistently had the ball in Spartan territory early in drives and that led to multiple scores. Heck, that’s partially why Michigan State had almost twice as many yards and first downs as the Wolverines.
If Michigan State is going to even make this one close, it needs to ensure the Wolverines are forced to move the ball 75-plus yards down the field on most, if not every, starting drive. Forcing touchbacks, punting the ball out of bounds inside the 20-yard-line and making sure Jabrill Peppers doesn’t get his hands on much.
Peppers is one of the most prolific return men in college football and that’s a major reason why he’s considered a Heisman Trophy candidate. He has the ability to make guys miss and return kicks and punts with relative ease.
Limiting the amount of touches he has in the return game will also help and if the Spartans can force some three-and-outs — I know, it’s a lot to ask — then they can get the ball back with a shorter field to work with.
Winning the field position battle could be the difference in this one.
Oct 22, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh prior to the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
2. Michigan might just be looking ahead
Let’s face it, in years past under Brady Hoke and Rich Rodriguez, Michigan would definitely be guilty of looking ahead in this situation. However, Jim Harbaugh is a much different, and better, head coach for the Wolverines and the chances of Michigan overlooking the Spartans are slimmer.
However, Michigan fans and players have been caught looking ahead to the Ohio State game at the end of the year. This year, more than any in recent memory, the fan base has dubbed this an easy win and the 23.5-point line in Vegas has to make this team feel like it’s going to be a cakewalk in East Lansing.
While players will never admit it, listening to fans and media experts tell them all week long that they’re the heavy favorites and being asked about the Ohio State matchup a month before it happens can distract them from the task at hand.
No, Michigan State is not a good team this season. The Spartans are talented, but the group has failed to recognize its potential and not playing the brand of football Dantonio has been known for. The talent is there, but the season seems too far gone. This is a game where MSU has nothing to lose, though.
Could Michigan be overlooking the Spartans on Saturday with College Football Playoff on the mind? It’s very possible. If so, that could play into the Spartans’ hands.
Oct 15, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; General view of Spartan Stadium during the first quarter of a game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Northwestern Wildcats at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
1. Home-field advantage for underdog in a big rivalry game
Although it’s a noon game and many people are selling their tickets, a good number of fans, including myself, have decided to sell only to fellow Spartans. That could keep this home atmosphere from becoming more of a dual-citizenship between Michigan and Michigan State fans in East Lansing.
Must Read: MSU Football: 5 most memorable Michigan games
However, still owning the home-field advantage is a big thing for Michigan State. In a year in which they have failed to garner much confidence on the field, it’s nice to know that they can face their biggest rival in front of home fans and not in hostile territory.
While home-field advantage hasn’t mattered much in years past, this could be different given the wide gap of postseason outlooks for both teams. One is not expected to make a bowl while the other is playing for a national title. No one is giving the Spartans a chance to win, and that’s exactly why it might just happen.
Upsets like this happen every season and they’re much more likely in a rivalry game. The underdog plays with nothing to lose and sometimes makes the final score closer than it should be.
The Spartans are going to need to feed off the home crowd and come to play their best game of the season if they want a shot. Michigan State has played well as the underdog when no one gave them a chance in the past. Why not this year?
More from Spartan Avenue
This article originally appeared on 
