With this rivalry, anything can happen

Lets face it. This game is just much more appealing when both teams are on the same level.

WARREN ZINN/Daily Heisman hopeful Michigan State tailback Sedrick Irvin looks to bolster his stats tomorrow when he leads the Spartans into Michigan Stadium. Which team will be laughing when the dust settles at the Big House?

Last year, everybody thought both teams were good. It turned out, eventually, that Michigan State was no better than in most years, but before the game, it appeared that both teams were good. So it was exciting.

This year, neither team has been any good - and again, it's exciting. They're on the same level.

So it's a blessing, probably, that the Wolverines are 1-2. If they were, say, 3-0, this might be just another weekend.

OK, so that might be a bit of a stretch. But the fact is, both teams are 1-2. Both teams need this game - badly. The winner stays alive in the Big Ten race, and could still wind up in a major bowl. The loser might be tempted to spend the rest of the season breaking in a freshman quarterback. Then again, both teams have been doing that anyway.

At any rate, breaking down this game piece-by-piece is a little like those Michigan Stadium guys who try to herd students into the correct seats - pretty pointless. Once Michigan and Michigan State are both out on the field, anything can happen.

WARREN ZINN/Daily Charles Woodson was a hard pill for State fans to swallow last year. This season Michigan looks elsewhere for the big play.

Michigan running game vs. Michigan State against the run:

After two abysmal weeks of (not) running the ball, the Wolverines finally got their act together in last week's game against Eastern Michigan. Was that because last week's game was, in fact, against Eastern Michigan? If nothing else, the Spartans should shed some light on the situation.

Anthony Thomas leads a group of running backs that, even with an ailing Clarence Williams, should be able to rely on its depth. Defensive end Robaire Smith is a star for the Spartans, but after him, they're questionable, especially with the big guy on the other end - Dimitrius Underwood - still doubtful after a high-ankle sprain.

As always, in Big Ten play, depth is key.

Edge: Michigan

Michigan passing game vs. Michigan State against the pass:

Tom Brady should thank his lucky stars. If there's one defensive backfield he'd want to start off the Big Ten season against (other than his own, of course) it has to be Michigan State's.

The Spartans rank 10th among conference teams in pass defense (just ahead of you-know-who), thanks in part to the Amp Campbell's season-ending injury.

Brady's got several options, which helps his cause. Jerame Tuman seems ready for a breakout game, Tai Streets should be healthy after a mild ankle sprain and freshman David Terrell emerged last week as a definite threat. Marcus Knight and Marquise Walker will line up wide as well. Combine that with Thomas and Williams catching passes out of the backfield, and Michigan looks to be in pretty good shape.

And if all else fails, the Wolverines can always turn to Drew Henson.

Michigan State rushing game vs. Michigan rushing defense:

This one's easy.

Michigan's linebackers are ailing. Clint Copenhaver, Sam Sword and Ian Gold have all missed time in recent weeks. How long will they hold up against the Spartans? Nobody knows. Actually, Lloyd Carr might know, but he's certainly not telling anyone. Technically, his defense is "banged up."

That leaves Michigan's down lineman to contend with Sedrick Irvin.

Irvin may be overrated, but he's at least comparable to Autry Denson, who ran all over the Wolverines.

Irvin just might do the same. Look for him to get a full day's work - probably in the range of 30 carries.

Edge: Michigan State

Michigan State passing offense vs. Michigan passing defense:

Bill Burke should thank his lucky stars. If there's one defensive backfield he'd want to start off the Big Ten season against (other than his own, of course) it has to be Michigan's. Sound familiar?

The Wolverines rank dead last in this category in the Big Ten, and that ranking might even be generous. The biggest surprise of the season has been Michigan's inability to stop the pass. Even against middle-of-the-MAC team Eastern Michigan, they surrendered well more than 300 yards through the air.

Cornerback Andre Weathers, projected as an all-Big Ten pick before the season, has struggled, to say the least. At the other corner, James Whitley has done the same. Safety Marcus Ray, of course, will be watching the game with Charles Woodson and some buddies.

Now, Bill Burke's struggles have been well-documented, but he seemed to find a comfort zone against Notre Dame. The Spartans' version of Drew Henson, freshman Ryan VanDyke, looked ready to step in until a shoulder sprain set him back. He still is less than 100-percent for this weekend's game.

Wide receiver Plaxico Burress, though, could be State's next big-time game breaking wideout, and if the past three weeks are any indication, he'll likely have his way with Michigan's defensive backs.

Edge: Michigan State

Special teams:

With the addition of superkicker Hayden Epstein, the Wolverines' kicking game got a shot in the arm (or leg?). Undoubtedly, the status of this area has improved since week one's debacle. Punter Jason Vinson's athleticism has salvaged more than a few shaky snaps, and if Justin Fargas is really as fast as he's supposed to be, the Wolverines may be due for someone to break one on a kick return.

The Spartans, though, have Irvin to return punts. And with Michigan's potential for disaster in all aspects of the special teams game (See Notre Dame, Sept. 12), that's enough to even this one out.

Edge: Even

Intangibles:

If there's one place where the Spartans' inferiority complex actually helps them, it's on the football field.

History shows that a slight edge in talent can easily be overcome by a fired-up Michigan State team with something to prove.

It doesn't, however, trump a fired-up Michigan team with something to prove.

Both teams are 1-2. Both need this game - a lot.

Michigan's just a little bit better.

Edge: Michigan

Final score: Michigan 28, Michigan State 24

09-25-98