Michigan State went on the road Saturday to take on rival Michigan, and they were able to come away with the hard-fought win.
No matter how miserable the weather conditions were on Saturday night in Ann Arbor, Michigan, right now nothing can tame the mood of the Michigan State Spartans. Sparty went into the Big House on Saturday to take on the rival Michigan Wolverines and after one final Hail Mary attempt from Jim Harbaugh’s squad, Michigan State moved to 4-1 on the year with a 14-10 win.
Meanwhile, Michigan’s Big Ten title and College Football Playoff hopes have taken a hit for the second year in a row, which will only leave more people criticizing the polarizing Jim Harbaugh.
Here’s what we can take away from the Spartans’ huge victory on the road Saturday in Ann Arbor.
3. Michigan’s offensive woes caught up to them
Were the Michigan Wolverines undefeated coming into this huge rivalry game on Saturday? Yes, they were. Did that have much to do with the way the offensive side of the ball has played thus far? Absolutely not.
Since the opening game against the Florida Gators, it was clear this team was not efficient on that side of the ball, and many figured it was only a matter of time before those issues came back to bite them. Saturday night against Michigan State was where they ran out of luck as it pertains to relying on their defense coming through.
Michigan made the switch to John O’Korn under center, and he just had a miserable night. The former Houston transfer was just 16-of-35 for 198 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions. The entire offense managed just 300 yards total, which is not enough to get it done against this Michigan State team, and neither will it be enough to battle tougher competition ahead in teams like Ohio State and Penn State.
Michigan’s offense is just not ideal.
2. Brian Lewerke’s legs will help Michigan State tremendously
When it comes to Michigan State quarterback’s traditionally, you envision pure drop-back passers who rarely get things done with their legs. Well, current Spartans quarterback Brian Lewerke is a completely different animal in that regard.
While Lewerke managed just 94 yards passing in the dreary conditions on Saturday evening, he had no problem hurting the Michigan defense with his legs. The sophomore finished with 61 yards on the ground on 15 carries with a touchdown. It was the fifth time this season that Lewerke tallied over 50 yards rushing, giving this Spartans offense a dynamic it needs to compete in the Big Ten.
Michigan State might not have the best playmakers in the country on the offensive side of the ball, but Lewerke being able to scramble all over the field opens things up just enough to make them efficient against any opponent they come up against — even Michigan’s vaunted defensive unit.
1. Mark Dantonio can flat-out coach
Finally, you have to give all the credit in the world to Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio for the turnaround we’ve seen so far this season. As we all remember, Dantonio and Michigan State were just 3-9 last year, with some even saying that his time had come up; it was a good run, some said. He had gotten the program a long-awaited Rose Bowl title and even made an appearance in the College Football Playoff, but the run was over. Fun while it lasted.
Yeah, well, Dantonio and the Spartans aren’t going anywhere, that much is very clear. And that’s a huge testament to just how good of a coach he really is. Michigan State had a horrific year in 2016, he made the necessary adjustments as a coach, and now Michigan State is back to being feared by opponents again just like that.
Now, the only question from this point is: how far back from that 3-9 2016 pit can he bring them? That we still have to find out, but it will be fun to watch.