Denied Robinson

It seems immovable objects can stop unstoppable foes after all.

The human element of the University of Michigan's 2010 football success, quarterback Denard Robinson, proved to be merely human, mortalized by--of all opponents--their green-and-white rivals to the northwest. In handing the Wolverines their first defeat of the season, Michigan State kept their unblemished record pimple-free for another week. And put the Heisman hopes of their fleet signal-caller on dry ice.

From the moment the dread-locked torpedo launched an ill-advised first-quarter pass into the arms of Spartan DB Trenton Robinson, something wasn't right. The 18-year-old phenom who single-handedly beat two Indiana schools on the road was hounded relentlessly by endless white-jerseyed attackers, and the results were unusually unspectacular: 86 rushing yards on 21 attempts, 219 passing yards, and three costly interceptions.

No experience could have been more peaceful to the rehabilitating heart of MSU coach Mark Dantonio, who watched his team's masterful performance from the comfort of one of the Big House's brand new executive suites. The win keeps the Spartans unbeaten and on a course for double-digit wins, a Big Ten championship, their first Rose Bowl berth since the Reagan Administration--it's all up to them.

As for the 5-1 Wolverines, they must quickly lick their wounds and gear up for a battle with the ever-powerful Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday. They're still a win away from the postseason, and their coach has still won just one D-1 game in the month of October in his three years as the Wolverines coach.