To Beat MSU, Michigan’s Devin Gardner Has To Play Flawlessly

This Saturday in East Lansing there is going to be a reckoning. Michigan State takes on their in-state foe, the Michigan Wolverines.

In the past this has been pretty lopsided, with the Wolves winning consistently throughout the '70s, '80s and '90s. But that scenario has changed drastically since the Mark Dantonio era began at MSU in the late aughts.

Now, there is chaos in Ann Arbor. There is a ton of pressure on the head football coach Brady Hoke and A.D. David Brandon. The past season have been tumultuous at best. Many people have now said Hoke may be in over his head. David Brandon is definitely on the ropes with his job too.

This game could blow up the flood gates. Michigan State is a 17-point favorite over Michigan. Last year State sacked Michigan's quarterback seven times en route to crushing the Wolverines. This year, U-M has to travel to East Lansing again for this contest. A daunting task ahead for Brady Hoke.

I expect State will get the job done again this year and just punish the Wolves.

Michigan football has to get much better and real soon, or Brady Hoke will lose his job and many other changes will come about. But one gigantic change can start this Saturday in Spartan Stadium with a Michigan win. But I wouldn't count on it.

Devin Gardner is going to be running for his life.