College football Week 6: 5 teams on upset alert

2. Michigan Wolverines

Rank: 7, Opponent: Michigan State Spartans

There’s no question that the Michigan Wolverines, at their best, could be one of the best teams in the country. Jim Harbaugh’s team undoubtedly presents one of the most suffocating defensive units in the country. However, their issues in any close games that they’ve had have come with their offense. Now they are entering a rivalry matchup against the Michigan State Spartan, and they may have more questions about their offense than before.

Hardly spectacular, Wilton Speight has been the starting quarterback for Michigan throughout the season and through all of last year. His big issue, however, has long been making turnovers or not making plays in critical moments. When you look at their toughest game to date, their opener against Florida, the 6-foot-6 senior allowed the Gators their only touchdowns of the game with two pick-sixes. Otherwise, it would’ve been a blowout. However, Speight didn’t throw an interception in any of the other three games he played this season.

In Michigan’s last game, though, the senior had to leave the game due to injury. And now he’s already been ruled out for the game against the Spartans, which will put John O’Korn at the helm. Admittedly, O’Korn showed a ton of promise when he relieved Speight, going 18-of-26 for 270 yards, one touchdown and one interception. But it’s hard to fully trust a player who couldn’t beat out the unspectacular Speight for the job.

The Michigan State offense hasn’t been as dominant defensively as their rivals, but they’ve been quite good. If they can bother O’Korn and force him into mistakes, they have an offense competent enough to be able to topple the Wolverines.