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Nick Sheridan knows Michigan State football chances vs U-M determined on ground
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- Nick Sheridan knows Michigan State football chances vs U-M determined on ground
EAST LANSING – Nick Sheridan knows how Michigan State football fans feel about Michigan because he once was one of them.
He also knows how Wolverines feel about the Spartans , because he once was one of them, too.
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Now MSU's offensive coordinator, Sheridan also knows the long history of the rivalry winner is typically the team that rushes for the most yards. What he doesn't know – or at least isn't discussing publicly – is who he might have left to run the ball.
Michigan State’s offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan looks on from the sideline during the firs quarter in the game against Nebraska on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in East Lansing.
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"It's important in every game to win at the line of scrimmage and establish the run," Sheridan said after practice Tuesday, Nov. 3. "And certainly historically speaking, in this game, it certainly has showed up that the team that wins the rushing battle exponentially helps their chances to win. …
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"That'll be important for us to find ways to efficiently run the ball and stay ahead of the chains."
Already, going into the kickoff at Michigan Stadium on Saturday (7:30 p.m., Peacock), the Spartans (2-6, 0-5 Big Ten) have lost their top three running backs to injuries over the past month amidst a six-game losing streak. Initial starter Cam Edwards was lost in early October with a knee injury suffered against Nebraska. Jaziun Patterson exited the loss to Northwestern on Oct. 17 and was out against UCLA; his replacement, Marvis Parrish, went down two plays into MSU's 28-10 loss to the Bruins on Oct. 24.
The first Big Ten-mandated availability report comes out Wednesday night.
Michigan State’s Jaziun Patterson, right, is tackled by Northwestern’s Braydon Brus after a run during the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
The team with the most rushing yards is 49-7 over the past 56 MSU/U-M games. The seven exceptions came in 1995 (MSU win), 2004 (U-M), 2007 (U-M), 2015 (MSU), 2016 (U-M), 2020 (MSU) and 2024 (U-M).
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Finding those ground gains, though, has been problematic for both programs this season.
The Spartans' 110.1 rushing yards per game ranks 122nd out of 138 FBS-level teams – not surprising given the attrition in the backfield. The Wolverines' 138-yard average ranks 98th.
"It really all starts and finishes up front," MSU center Trent Fraley said Tuesday. "It's just something that we need to put on our shoulders as an offensive line, to be the most physical team, out-physical their [defensive] line and give us a win."
U-M's defense has been stingy all season, ranking third overall in the FBS and tied for 17th against the run (99.4 rushing yards). The Wolverines (5-3, 2-3) have held three teams to 65 or fewer yards rushing and have not yielded more than the 132 to Western Michigan in its opener. MSU, meanwhile, ranks 86th in run defense, allowing 153.8 yards a game and coming off giving up a season-worst 245 to UCLA.
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"The defenses that you play that have a lot of success, it starts up front with good fundamentals, good technique, good players, good personnel. And then certainly the coaches getting them to play the game the right way," Sheridan said. "They've been outstanding this year. We understand the challenge."
Michigan QB Nick Sheridan throws a pass in the first half against Northwestern in Ann Arbor on Nov. 15, 2008.
The rivalry itself is a challenge that Sheridan has a unique perspective of, having been on all sides of it.
Sheridan grew up around Nick Saban's program while his father, Bill, served as MSU linebackers coach from 1998-2000. Bill Sheridan also was a graduate assistant at U-M under Bo Schembechler (1984-85) and eventually joined Lloyd Carr's staff from 2002-04, and Nick Sheridan joined the Wolverines as a quarterback from 2006-09.
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"I'm very well aware. I didn't need to be educated," Sheridan said. "I understand the importance and the significance of it. And it's incredibly humbling to be a part of it."
Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com . Follow him @chrissolari .
Subscribe to the "Spartan Speak" podcast for new episodes on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Next up: State of rivalry
Matchup:Michigan State (2-6, 0-5 Big Ten) at Michigan (5-3, 2-3).
Kickoff:7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7; Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor.
TV/radio:Peacock (online only); WJR-AM (760), WCSX-FM (94.7).
Line:Wolverines by 13½.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Nick Sheridan knows Michigan State football chances vs U-M determined on ground
