Last Updated on September 29, 2009 2:31 pm by drew
U of M-MSU Odds
East Lansing,
With their impressive freshman quarterback expected to play, the 22nd-ranked Wolverines look to avoid a letdown against Michigan State on Saturday in their first road contest of the season.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL have made
"Can we play all 12 at home?" Rodriguez said. "You’ll find out a lot about your team in a tough road environment, and we’re getting ready to do that."
Rodriguez must certainly feel better knowing Forcier shouldn’t miss any time. Forcier injuried his right shoulder before making the game-winning throw with 2:29 left in Michigan’s 36-33 over Indiana last Saturday.
There is some lingering soreness, but Rodriguez doesn’t expect to restrict Forcier. Though it will be his first road game, Forcier has been unflappable so far and Wolverines running back Kevin Grady doesn’t expect him to be fazed.
"Tate has done a wonderful job of being poised," Grady said. "If you can play in front of 100,000, I think he’ll be all right in Spartan Stadium. I think Tate will be fine and he’ll do what he’s been doing week in, and week out."
Forcier already has thrown two late-game winning TD passes. He connected with Martavious Odoms for a 26-yard pass in the end zone versus the Hoosiers and threw a 5-yard TD to Greg Mathews with 11 seconds remaining in a 38-34 victory over then-No. 18 Notre Dame on Sept. 12.
Now he’ll face a Spartans secondary that has yielded a Big Ten-worst 10 TD passes.
Three straight defeats have dashed hopes for what was expected to be a solid season, but the Spartans like the timing of a matchup with the rival Wolverines.
"I think it’s a little easier to bounce back from these past two weeks or three weeks when you’re playing Michigan," Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins said. "You understand you have to put it behind you, learn from it and really get ready to go. I don’t think there will be any ‘poor mes’ or any down attitude, understanding what we’ve got to do Saturday."
The Spartans would take some solace from stopping the Wolverines’ momentum and beating them for the second straight year. They won last season’s meeting 35-21 on the road Oct. 25.
"This is the time when leaders have to step up and demand more," Wolverines defensive end Brandon Graham said.
Graham and
The Spartans are using both Cousins and Keith Nichol at quarterback. Both threw interceptions that led to Wisconsin TDs.
Cousins did not throw an INT in either of his first two games, but he has been picked off once in each of the last two.
Last season,
Rodriguez expects another tough contest.
"They’ve got an outstanding football team," he said. "It’s going to be a very difficult game. I’m sure both coaches won’t have any problems getting our guys focused."
Posted: 9/29/09 2:31PM ET