Michigan football: 5 things I want to see from the Wolverines this weekend

What made the first three years of the Jim Harbaugh era at Michigan so frustrating was the Wolverines’ inability to win the big games against arch rivals. That’s included two losses in three years against Michigan State, something Michigan hopes to change on Saturday.

The showdown in East Lansing (Noon ET; TV: Fox) is huge for both teams, and for Michigan it’s a chance to add to its six-game winning streak and stay atop the Big Ten East with Ohio State. A win, quite frankly, is a must, but it won’t be easy.

Here are five things I want to see from the Wolverines this weekend against Michigan State:

1. Score early and get the mental edge

This Michigan team has been telling us from the beginning that it’s different, that the flaws of the past are exactly that — a thing of the past. They are playing with confidence in 2018, and a 38-13 blowout last week against a good Wisconsin team proved that they are different in big games this season. This is another big game, obviously, and it’s important to get off to a good start to keep that confidence level high. Do that, and it makes a huge difference, because it also puts doubt in the Spartans, who have had their share of ups and downs already this season.

2. Shea Patterson has to protect the ball

Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson has made a huge difference for this team in 2018, and he’s a big reason why the Wolverines are a 10-point favorite on the road Saturday. If there’s been any flaw in his game thus far, it’s that he can be a little loose with the ball when the pass rush gets heavy and he starts to improvise. The Spartans will bring some heat, and Patterson has to hang on to the ball. No fumbles, especially in bad field-position situations.

3. Defensive line controls things from the get-go

Michigan State’s offensive line is banged up and has struggled for much of the season, so this is a head-to-head matchup that Michigan’s stout defensive line has to win on every series. They need to make sure Michigan State can’t run the ball and then force them to be one-dimensional. Spartans quarterback Brian Lewerke is good, but keeping the heat on him all day could lead to some turnovers. This group needs to dominate and make sure this game isn’t close heading into the fourth quarter.

4. Wide receivers run free against Spartans secondary

Michigan State is No. 1 in the country against the run, but near the bottom of the national rankings against the pass. Three different QBs have thrown for more than 300 yards a game against them already. Michigan needs to make that four, because there will be wide receivers open all night long. This is an area where Michigan can dominate as well, but they have to go out and do it. A handful of big plays — especially early — is a must.

5. Jim Harbaugh outcoaches Mark Dantonio this time

Michigan can’t play scared in this game and, far more importantly, they can’t coach scared, either. It’s critical that Jim Harbaugh and his staff do all the right things to make sure Michigan comes away with a win.  Michigan’s approach to this season has been great, as far as game-planning goes. Don Brown needs to let his dogs go out and dominate and the offense needs to finish drives. That means Harbaugh needs to call a good game and, most especially, he needs to let Patterson win this game with his arm and his legs. Harbaugh can’t be stubborn and force the run too much, because the Spartans are that good at stopping it. Be creative, and make big plays with play-action passes. That’s what we want to see.

Tom Brew

Tom Brew has been a recognized reporter in Big Ten sports for decades. Among other projects, he writes about Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.