MSU football brings momentum into the duel with the struggling Wolverines

The MSU football team will travel to Ann Arbor this weekend to take on its biggest rival and reigning national champion: the University of Michigan.

Last year in East Lansing, the Wolverines retained the Paul Bunyan Trophy with a 49-0 win over the Spartans. It was the biggest win in the rivalry since 1947 and the biggest loss for MSU at Spartan Stadium.

While Michigan football still has its physical identity that puts the run first, plays in front of over 100,000 fans in the Big House and is the last laugh in the rivalry, MSU’s program starts off with more momentum Saturday.

In the Wolverines’ last two games, they suffered two losses on the road against Big Ten teams Washington and Illinois. In their second game they were beaten at home by Texas.

Coming off a 15-0 season, things were always going to be difficult for Michigan’s first-year head coach Sherrone Moore, but some of the problems go beyond mere growing pains. Whether it was the pressure of defending a national title or a lack of chemistry or both, Michigan has experienced deficiencies through seven games, particularly at quarterback.

Moore has started three different quarterbacks so far and paid the price. Turnovers plagued Michigan late against Washington, early against Texas and in the second quarter against Illinois.

“(We) are still preparing for every quarterback,” MSU redshirt senior linebacker Jordan Turner said after practice Wednesday.

Whoever starts Saturday will be at a disadvantage against MSU second-year quarterback Aidan Chiles, who has worked through his own turnover issues but has established himself as the man under center moving forward. The Wolverines will have to rely on their patented running game.

“We’re excited as an offense to see what we can execute,” redshirt junior running back Nate Carter said after practice Tuesday. “But we don’t want to stay there.”

Last week, MSU faced powerhouse running back Kaleb Johnson from Iowa. The defense gave up a 75-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter but otherwise held Johnson to 23 rushing yards. The test could prove important as the Spartans are now tasked with stopping a run-oriented Wolverine squad.

Even if the season starts unexpectedly, the Paul Bunyan Trophy is up for grabs this year.

“It’s going to be an intense game, probably a little up-and-down,” sixth-year offensive lineman Tanner Miller said after practice Tuesday. “They’re going to play up, we’re going to play up.”

The rivalry game will take place on Saturday, October 26th at 7:30 p.m. at Michigan Stadium. Big Ten Network will broadcast the game.