The Big Game: UM Seeks Revenge on Sparty

By: Shane Henry

Can you feel the earth tremble beneath your feet?

Do you hear the sound of forests crashing to the ground?

You should, because Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue-Ox are back in town for this upcoming weekend as Sparty plays host to arch-rival Michigan.

After an embarrassing home loss last year, the Wolverines have come back to East Lansing to reclaim the rights to the Paul Bunyan Trophy, not to mention bragging rights in the series in which Michigan leads 67-29-5.

Head Coach Rich Rodriguez took the reigns for the program last year and ended the season a disappointing 3-9, the worst record in school history. After reloading the program with a great recruiting class which included the likes of quarterbacks Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson, Big Blue is now 4-0 this year and looking for revenge.

The exact opposite can be said for the Spartans.

After piling up a 35-21 victory last year against the Wolverines, MSU finished the season an impressive 9-4 season under Head Coach Mark Dantonio. This year, MSU has struggled to find its rhythm, starting the season 1-3 through its first 4 games.

With the graduation of Javon Ringer and Bryan Hoyer from last year, the Spartans have suffered from a lack of leadership on offense, particularly at running back.

But Dantonio amassed a great recruiting class of his own, bringing in true freshman running backs Larry Caper and Edwin Baker. And along with the red-shirt freshman Caulton Ray, they have managed to fill the running back slot. Yet the Spartans have yet to find a middle ground at the position as they have started the season a disappointing 1-3.

But the offense isn’t the only of the Spartans’ struggles. Their defense has given up an average of 26 points per game, two of which 30 or more points were allowed.

On the other hand, Michigan is having defensive struggles this year as well. Still, the Wolverines’ deadly spread offense has compensated for the defense by averaging 38 points per game and an impressive 240 yards rushing per game.

Last year, the Spartans had Javon Ringer amass 194 yards on the ground along with two touchdowns in a game in which the Spartans managed to pass for 306 yards under the arm of Bryan Hoyer.

This is a much different Spartan team, and an even more improved Michigan team.

Simply put, if the Spartans wish to maintain control of the mighty Paul Bunyan Trophy, they are going to have to stop the powerhouse offense of Michigan and take advantage of the Wolverines’ undersized defense.

If the Spartans fail to stop Forcier and the endless onslaught of Wolverine running-backs, then we may be in for one hell of a shootout.