GAME 8 PROJECTION vs. RESULTS
Final Score: 29-7, Michigan by 22 over Michigan State
SP+ Projection: Michigan by 22.4 (-0.4)
CD Projection: Michigan by 28 (-6)
FIVE FACTORS
GAME 8 RECAP vs. Michigan State
How do you define a bitter rivalry? I will start with a 22-point victory that feels unsatisfying because there wasn’t enough ass-kicking. Then you can add a physical brawl in the tunnel after the game. Coaches are complaining about one tunnel. Maybe the young men IN the tunnel need to add some steel to their spine and take their L with some dignity.
Podcast- Michigan 29 Michigan State 7
The big stat for the offense is 60% success rate, with garbage time removed. Anything 45% or better is a pretty good showing. The Wolverines racked up 276 rushing yards with a 5.3 yards/carry average. The building concern is centered on red-zone touchdown conversion. I think that is a fair concern, but I would also like to see Michigan stretch the field vertically more often once they cross the 50 yard line.
The defensive staff is establishing a clear pattern of 2nd half dominance. After securing a 13-7 half time lead, the Wolverines came out and choked out the Spartans in the 3rd quarter, allowing just a 17% success rate. For three straight drives, MSU started on their own 25 yard line, advanced four yards, and punted on 4th & 6 from the 29 yard line.
The clear star of the game was Jake Moody. We have seen this before, and this guy earned his nickname: “Money”. Moody was 5-5 on FG attempts, and pounded four touchbacks and a fair catch on his kick offs. The Spartans had their own trouble with a punt snap, and the 3rd quarter SNAFU, followed by a 4 yard touchdown run by Blake Corum, proved to be the back breaker. Onward to New Jersey to battle the Rutgers Scarlet Knights!
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- Michigan 28 Arkansas State 18 – Game 3 Recap - September 15, 2024
- By the Numbers: Game 3 vs. Arkansas State - September 12, 2024
