Three keys to a Michigan football victory over Michigan State

In January, after Michigan’s national championship, not many people thought the Wolverines might have trouble beating rival Michigan State in 2024 – well, maybe Spartan fans thought that was a possibility. Even after the spring, Michigan would have gone into the game as a big favorite. But as Michigan State week comes to a close, there’s a real chance that Michigan State will make some noise in the first year of the Jonathan Smith era.

The Wolverines have beaten MSU the last two years, and Michigan has been dominant. But after a 4-3 start and three different starting quarterbacks, the Wolverines are far from what they once were. After a bye week, the Wolverines looked worse. MSU, on the other hand, looked great after the bye against Iowa.

It’s important for Sherrone Moore and Michigan to get the win and keep Paul Bunyan in Ann Arbor. Here are three keys for corn and blue to do this.

1. Return to your identity and continue playing

Inexplicably, Michigan wanted to “prove” it could run the football last weekend against Illinois. On the first series – when the Wolverines posted a three-out victory – Michigan threw the ball twice and ran it once without Kalel Mullings on the field. The Wolverines were quick on the ground and Michigan ended up attempting 32 passes against the Illini.

Obviously, the Wolverines shouldn’t want to pass on the football. But they should run the football with Mullings and a mix of Donovan Edwards. Michigan State has done well against the pass, but it hasn’t done particularly well against the run. The Spartans have the 53rd ranked run defense, allowing 131 yards per game on the ground. In the last three games against Ohio State, Oregon and Iowa, MSU has allowed more than five yards per carry in each of those games.

Michigan needs to lean into its identity and just keep going until Michigan State stops you. Live and die on earth. Because Michigan died in the air and Tuttle, the likely starter, was as susceptible to turnover as anyone. Don’t force the pass, use the play-action off the run and let MSU stop the pass.

2. Get your arm hit by Aidan Chiles

Chiles, the Oregon State transfer, is a solid dual-threat quarterback. Chiles is electrifying when he can take off and run the football. With sack-adjusted numbers, Chiles has rushed for 242 yards and three touchdowns, an average of over five yards per carry.

But the young Chilean has a few problems. Like most Michigan quarterbacks, he is very change-prone. Not only does he have nine interceptions this year, Chiles also has four fumbles. There was only one game in which Chiles did not commit a turnover, and that was against Prairie View A&M.

Upon closer inspection, it appears that Chiles has a turnover problem due to the pressure. According to Pro Football Focus, MSU has the 131st pass blocking team in the country. As a result, when under pressure, Chiles not only has an offensive grade of 29.7, but he has also made seven of his interceptions when under duress.

Given the amount of pressure put on him this season, Michigan clearly needs to keep the pressure on against the Chileans. But it will also be crucial not to allow him to take off and hit you on the ground. Using a spy, getting Chiles to stay in the pocket and having him look over his shoulder will bode well for the Wolverines on Saturday night.

3. Stop turning the ball over when you scream loudly

I just came across Michigan State’s turnover issues, and now it’s time to talk about Michigan. The Wolverines and Spartans have 15 turnovers this season and Michigan has an abysmal -7 turnover margin in seven games.

Fumbles were their own problem, but the quarterbacks’ decision-making was certainly the main issue. Between Davis Warren, Alex Orji and Jack Tuttle, Michigan has nine interceptions this year. Every game this year the Wolverines have turned the ball over and in all but one game, Michigan has thrown at least one interception.

Michigan State has forced eight turnovers this season, so it’s not like the Spartans have done a good job of forcing turnovers. Their defense probably won’t prevail, but Michigan has shown it is more than capable of turning the ball over on its own. Whoever starts at quarterback – probably Tuttle – simply has to be better. It really is that simple. Protect the football and make smart decisions.

If you can win the turnover battle in football, you have a much better chance of winning, and that will really hinder Michigan in 2024.

– Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI –

Column: Sherrone Moore will likely face some very difficult decisions to keep Michigan relevant

Michigan football could be trying to make its biggest splash since Rashan Gary

Sherrone Moore suggests Jadyn Davis could be added to the QB mix sooner than some think