Football 10/13/17

NCAA Football Week 6 Recap
Michigan State Spartans @ Michigan Wolverines (7)
Final Score:
Spartans 14, Wolverines 10

​Wolverines:
Passing - John O’Korn; 16/35 c/att, 198 yards, 0 TD, 3 INT
Rushing - Karan Higdon; 12 att, 65 yards
Receiving - Grant Perry; 5 receptions, 61 yards

Spartans:
Passing - Brian Lewerke; 11/22 c/att, 94 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
Rushing - Brian Lewerke; 15 att, 61 yards, 1 TD
Receiving - Darrell Stewart Jr; 3 rec, 42 yards
Recap:
Going into the matchup, many people thought it wouldn’t be hard. The wolverines had their eyes set on a national title, and were ranked as a top 10 team playing at home against an unranked squad. Right out of the gate the wolverines moved the ball at will, marching down the field to a field goal. The wolverines were able who force a 3 and out on the following possession, and things were looking just like everyone expected. Then everything went bad. Ty Isaac fumbled giving the ball up, and all the momentum started to swing towards the Spartans. They were able to convert a touchdown off a 14 yard Brian Lewerke Rush and knocked in the extra point. The Spartans owned the game until halftime. The wolverines were struggling to move the ball, and the defense wasn’t playing up to the expectations everyone had hoped. Michigan State was playing like the 7 ranked team, and Michigan was playing like a nobody. Towards the end of the 3rd quarter the rain started to come down. It came down hard. Both teams struggled to pass the ball, but while playing from behind the wolverines kept attempting passes but were hardly able to convert. The Spartans played from ahead and kept the ball on the ground. Chewing as much clock as possible. Several interceptions, and a whole lot of punts later the wolverines found themselves attempting a last minute drive to win the game. They made it down the field but being behind 4 points meant they needed a touchdown and couldn’t settle for a field goal. John O’Korn threw up a Hail Mary at the last second hoping for someone to come down with it, but nobody could. The Spartan Offense and defense made some big plays throughout the game, ultimately leading to them boosting the Paul Bunyan Trophy. After this game the Wolverines would move down to the 17th ranked team, and the Spartans would jump in to the top 25 for the first time this season at 21.

Week 7 Outlook:
Michigan (17) -7.0 @ Indiana
Michigan goes into this game favored by 7 points but I don’t see it being that simple. Michigan showed some weak spots in the loss last weak to Michigan state. The wolverines haven’t lost to the Hoosiers in 21 consecutive games, and with the #1 ranked total defense in the nation, it’s hard to believe they will lose. But nothing is guaranteed. The Hoosiers are ranked second in 3 and outs, and the Michigan offense has barely been able to put any points on the board. This is a new Michigan team, that needs to figure out who they are. Look for Michigan to squeak by in another low scoring nail biter. But hey, what do I know.
My Prediction - Michigan (17) 16, Indiana 14

Michigan State (21) -4.0 @ Minnesota
Michigan State is coming off a big win on the road in the big house. Something that hurts me to say, but it was big. They have already surpassed their total wins from last year (3-9) and are now (4-1). With the defense that they have been able to put together through those games, and now getting Junior RB LJ Scott back from injury, I believe Michigan State will exceed expectations. They will be looking to prove their place in the Top 25. Minnesota isn’t exactly a great team, but they have been averaging 28 points per game. Look for Michigan State to do more than just cover.
My Prediction - Michigan State (21) 24, Minnesota 17

NFL Week 5 Recap
Carolina Panthers @ Detroit Lions
Final Score: Panthers 27, Lions 24
Lions:
Passing - Matt Stafford; 23/35 c/att, 229 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT
Rushing - Ameer Abdullah; 10 att, 31 yards
Receiving - Marvin Jones Jr; 6 rec 54 yards
Darren Fells; 2 rec, 24 yards, 2 TDs
Panthers:
Passing - Cam Newton; 26/33 c/att, 335 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing - Jonathan Stewart; 18 att, 21 yards
Receiving - Ed Dickson 5 rec, 175 yards
Recap:
Throughout the game the Lions maintained a stout rushing defense holding the Panthers to 28 total rushing yards. But they didn’t account for a vengeful Cam Newton looking to get back at the world for taking issue with some comments he made earlier that weak. He came out swinging setting a season high in passing yards, and shredding the Detroit secondary. Ed Dickson was able to put together a great game averaging 35 yards per catch on the game. Matt Stafford did his best to keep the game alive, connecting for 2 TDs with back up TE Darren Fells. However he was not able to connect with Eric Ebron who dropped a couple of passes, one being in the end zone, a score that might have been the difference in securing a win for the now 3-2 Lions. The Panthers went in to Detroit and came out showing the world that they were for real, and MVP Cam might be back. The Lions can take some solace in knowing they lost to what seems to be a serious contender however, the Lions aren’t looking for a consolation prize. They want to contend for a Super Bowl, but they can’t do that giving up 175 yards to the opposing teams back up TE.

Week 6 Outlook

Detroit Lions @ New Orleans Saints -4.5

The Saints come into this game off of a bye. Before the bye however, their defense was performing at a level that no one expected. Shutting out the Miami Dolphins, and holding the Panthers to only 13 points the week before that. The offense anchored by Drew Brees is a threat to put up 35 points on any given night. Darius Slay will look to contain emerging star at WR, Michael Thomas. Detroit will also have to be careful of receiving out of the backfield. Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram are both very talented receivers and should be treated as such. I think the Lions offense will be able to overcome a Saints defense that has over performed. Stafford needs to spread the ball around and exploit the lack of CB talent from the Saints. Eric Ebron needs to solve his drop problem, or at least keep it at bay if they want to be able to score more points than this Saints team. The Lions front seven has been performing well against the run all season and should be able to do the same. I think that if Stafford is able to play the way he has been, and Ameer Abdullah can make some plays, the Lions have a good chance to come out of this game with a win.
My Prediction - Detroit Lions 29, New Orleans Saints 24