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Analysis

Mitten Masterkey: Week 8

Western Michigan is idle while the other four Mitten teams play some key games to shape the second halves of their respective seasons.

Andrew Graham

— 3 min read
Mitten Masterkey: Week 8
(Courtesy of Eastern Michigan Athletics)

Week 8 has arrived and the stakes are coming into focus. 

Central Michigan is scrapping to finish .500 or better and make a bowl under a new head coach. Eastern Michigan is playing backs-against-the-wall football with little margin to salvage the season. Michigan can keep the season on track with a win, or perhaps start spiraling to a mediocre finish. And Michigan State is fighting to end a freefall and not finish sub-.500 for a second year to start Jonathan Smith’s tenure. 

And Western Michigan, which is off this week, is a bona fide MAC favorite. 

So, time to dig into the weekend and all it entails.

Mitten Football will be at…

Michigan Stadium, since it is the lone home game this weekend. Mitten Football also appreciates a slate of games that respects a reasonable bed time. 

The schedule and TV assignments

All games are Saturday this week, Western Michigan is idle. 

Noon — Michigan vs. Washington, FOX/FOX streaming
Noon — Central Michigan at Bowling Green, ESPN+ streaming
Noon — Eastern Michigan at Miami (OH), ESPN+ streaming
3:30 p.m. — Michigan State at Indiana, Peacock streaming

And for the uninitiated, this master schedule absolutely rocks (just be aware times are central).

Pregame, halftime reading from Mitten Football, others

Picks and preview

Check them out here with longer previews, but for a brief version (scores not included):

  • Washington over Michigan
  • Central Michigan over Bowling Green
  • Miami (OH) over Eastern Michigan
  • Indiana over Michigan State

A freshman to watch: Jasper Parker, Michigan running back

Parker is a true freshman who has played in two games, travelling and playing on special teams against Oklahoma and eating up some garbage time carries in a beatdown of Central Michigan. But with Justice Haynes nursing his torso injury this week, it could be a chance for Parker to get into the lineup and take some carries in a meaningful game. 

He, along with Bryson Kuzdzal, seem to be the next two backs up for the Wolverines behind Haynes and Jordan Marshall. So if Haynes is limited in some capacity, it could fall to Parker to carry some meaningful load out of the backfield in his seventh career game. 

A unit to watch: Michigan State’s offensive line

The unit has been bad for a few weeks now, and badly needs Stanton Ramil to get healthy at left tackle. But for now he’s still on ice, and the Spartan offensive line is searching for answers on either side of Matt Gulbin at center. Guard Kristian Phillips has been solid but is injured and questionable to play this weekend. Conner Moore has been passable kicked out to right tackle. 

But on the left side, things have been bad for Michigan State with Ramil out. Ashton Lepo has been unplayable at tackle, and with Luke Vincic hurt for the year and Phillips potentially out this weekend, Caleb Carter and Gavin Broscious are the options at guard. Redshirt freshman Rustin Young will likely get some run at tackle, and Moore has played on either side. The MSU offensive line has been in disarray with injuries and poor play, and needs to find a solid level fast to give the offense any chance this weekend.

A fun prediction: Eastern Michigan forces multiple turnovers

The Eagles have struggled to turn over opponents this year, but against Dequan Finn there should be some chances to take the ball away through the air. His five interceptions thrown currently leads the MAC. And the Eagles have shown some increased aptitude at getting takeaways, with a key one late to help beat Northern Illinois, and one earlier in that game that was wiped out by a penalty. 

Creating some extra possessions for the offense would be huge for the Eagles, especially trying to pull a road upset. 

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