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Michigan-Michigan St. Preview

Sep 29, 2009 - 5:44 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Michigan (4-0) at No. 18 Michigan State (1-3), 12:00 p.m. EDT

After such a strong start at home, Michigan might be a little hesitant about heading to Spartan Stadium. A healthy Tate Forcier, though, should ease some of its concerns.

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.

Having played all of its games in the Big House, Michigan (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) has been able to build some early season confidence. A conference matchup with the Spartans (1-3, 0-1) shouldn't be intimidating, but Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez isn't sure how his team will react on the road.

"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. Michigan State allowed Wisconsin to convert 11 of 18 attempts on third down in a 38-30 loss last Saturday.

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.

Michigan, though, is aware it needs to match Michigan State's sense of urgency.

"This is the time when leaders have to step up and demand more," Wolverines defensive end Brandon Graham said.

Graham and Michigan's defense will try to apply pressure on a Michigan State team that turned the ball over four times versus the Badgers after committing two turnovers in three non-conference games.

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, Michigan State got three TDs passes from Brian Hoyer while its defense had three interceptions to snap a six-game losing streak against Michigan.

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."

Michigan has won three straight on the road against Michigan State since a 26-24 loss Nov. 3, 2001. The Wolverines lead the series 67-29-5.