Who will be Michigan football’s X-factor against MSU?

Michigan football enters its contest against Michigan State with a 7-0 record and is ranked No. 4 nationally. Despite the Spartans’ struggles, we all know Michigan State will come to play for this game. That being said, who will Michigan’s X-factor be against Michigan State?

When it comes down to it, Michigan football is the better, more complete team right now. The Wolverines have a better special teams unit, better offense, better defense, and a better coaching staff than Michigan State does at this point in time.

Over the past 20 meetings, the Wolverines and Spartans are deadlocked at 10-10. In fact, since the turn of the century, Michigan and Michigan State are tied at 11-11. This weekend’s game will mean a lot, not just for the sake of the rivalry, but for bragging rights this millennium.

There are a few obvious answers to this question such as Heisman candidate Blake Corum or defensive standout Mike Morris. Yet, I do not think either of them will be the deciding factor in this game.

JJ McCarthy, the Wolverines’ sophomore quarterback, will be the deciding factor on Saturday. Mel Tucker is a good enough coach to know how to stop (or slow) Michigan’s offense: stack the box and force the Wolverines to pass. Jim Harbaugh is a good enough coach to do exactly that if that is how the Spartans play their cards.

The Spartans rank 111th (of 131 teams) in passing yards allowed. On top of that, Michigan State ranks 104th in total defense, T-73rd in scoring defense, and T-120th in passes intercepted. So far this year, just as last year, Michigan State’s pass defense has been atrocious.

On the flip side, the Spartans do have a few show-stoppers on defense such as linebacker Jacoby Windmon. Michigan State is also T-42nd in team sacks with 17. For reference, Michigan is T-8th with 24.

McCarthy has not needed to throw the ball all that much so far this season. The sophomore came in as the full-time starter after a great showing in week 2 and since has done everything that he was asked to do.

Michigan has run the ball better than anyone in the nation thus far, and the amount of passes McCarthy has needed to throw has been substantially cut down because of it. With that in mind, it is also noteworthy to point out that JJ McCarthy leads all FBS quarterbacks in completion percentage, as he is completing nearly 80 percent of his passes.

As I said, I think Michigan State will know they need to stop Blake Corum if they want to be successful defensively. That will leave JJ McCarthy as the one who needs to step up and take over the game.