Error processing SSI fileU-M should have zip heading into MSU
But Wolverines first must tackle Wisconsin and Calhoun, who can make defenses look silly.
Michigan is light in the offensive line, unhappy with its defensive linemen (Gabe Watson, this means you!) and wondering how in the name of America's dairyland it's going to match up Saturday with those physical rascals from Wisconsin.
Answer: The Badgers aren't any sturdier up front. They've had injuries to their offensive-line bulldozers, not to mention reserves who have come down with chicken pox, which doesn't make it easy when your quarterback (John Stocco) sets up as if he is encased in concrete.
Brian Calhoun? There's the problem child for Michigan. If the Badgers turn their talented running back into an all-purpose marauder who catches a ton of passes Saturday, he could make a mess of things for a defense that has had its tough moments.
But this isn't a typical Wisconsin team that hires blacksmiths as strength and conditioning coaches. Come to think of it, neither is this a vintage U-M team compared with other years when strengths were obvious and well distributed.
So, welcome to the Big Ten season, where anybody (Purdue, Michigan State) could end up stealing a championship from the anticipated cast of contenders.
As for Michigan, let's assume the cat-and-mouse games have ended and the Wolverines and Chad Henne establish themselves Saturday as the fearsome group that was forecast.
They will do that by winning impressively, 27-10, or thereabouts, which is the expectation here.
That enables a proper head of steam to be achieved heading into East Lansing a week later. By that time, tender linemen who were forced to play prematurely will have accrued crust beneath their shoulder pads and can be expected to play productively during their pilgrimage.
That's the script, anyway. If Michigan gets its defensive front to cooperate (Pat Massey hasn't played much better than Watson, from initial appearances), the Wolverines will win comfortably. Henne will continue to make amends for his Notre Dame effort, and there isn't a much better place to start than in Madison, Wis.
Spartans get green light
Michigan State should realize -- well ahead of any obligatory focus on the Big Ten season and taking one game at a time, etc. -- what a gift the Spartans gave themselves with that amazing victory Saturday at Notre Dame. It's all about the bowl game, boys, no matter what your coaches say.
Beating Notre Dame is not only the difference between 2-1 and 3-0, it also can be the bowl-day difference between Shreveport, La., and San Diego. Between a New Year's night appearance at the Peach Bowl or a New Year's Day ticket to the Outback Bowl in Tampa.
It's prime time vs. one of the Nielsen ratings' weaker slots. It's sun and surf vs. a nice party at a Memphis blues spot.
One big victory over a blue-chip contender means the bowl prospects for MSU jumped exponentially Saturday.
If the Spartans insist on dreamier thoughts -- BCS bowl, even, should they be open to the hallucinatory -- this is the year to do it. State's offense and schedule are a nice match for what's taking shape elsewhere in the Big Ten.
They must, of course, keep Drew Stanton healthy. He is MSU's best quarterback since, well, maybe ever. Earl Morrall. Jim Ninowski. Jimmy Raye. Eddie Smith. Jim Miller. Tony Banks. Jeff Smoker.
They've had some good ones. But none of the above has had the blend of legs and passing accuracy to match Stanton.
Clamping down on MSU's offense will be some kind of task for whatever coordinator chews on State's game films. At MSU it's all about the O -- offensive line. It gives those running backs and that fleet of receivers a chance to let everyone, beginning with Stanton, work their magic.
So you are obliged to outscore MSU, which can be tough, as Notre Dame discovered Saturday.
Oh yes, Notre Dame learned something else Saturday: that when an opposing team rubs it in by planting its flag on your turf after a bitter defeat, it's an invitation for vengeance at some point down the line.
Bad act, Spartans. You wouldn't have appreciated it if the Irish had acted likewise. Which is what -- in one manner or another -- will happen a year or two from now. Bet on it.
You can reach Lynn Henning at (313)222-2472 or lynn.henning@detnews.com.
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