Written by Mike Bainbridge at AthlonSports.com
Prior to the start of the regular season, most people likely assumed the Michigan Wolverines (7-0) would be the favorites entering their yearly matchup against the Michigan State Spartans (2-5). Favored by 23.5 points though? Probably not.
The Wolverines have been as impressive as any team in the country through eight weeks of the season, smothering teams with their No. 1 ranked defense and then wearing them out with a balanced attack on offense. In the last two games alone, Michigan has outscored its opponents 119-8 while allowing just 194 total yards combined.
The same cannot be said for the Spartans as they come into this weekend riding a five-game losing streak after falling to Maryland 28-17 on the road last week. Both sides of the football look to be in complete disarray, which is an obvious concern for head coach Mark Dantonio as Michigan State heads into its most important game of the season to date.
Can you throw out the records in rivalry games? We will find out Saturday.
Michigan at Michigan State
Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 29 at 12 p.m. ET
TV Channel: ESPN
Spread: Michigan -23.5
Three Things to Watch
1. Quarterback Quandary
Coach Mark Dantonio isn’t giving any hints as to who will be under center when the Spartans take the field on Saturday. Redshirt freshman Brian Lewerke has started each of the past two weeks and done some good things, primarily with his legs, but Dantonio has stated he needs to provide more of a threat throwing the football vertically. Fifth-year senior Tyler O’Connor came on in relief of Lewerke against Northwestern and threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns in the second half but was unavailable last week against Maryland due to a foot injury. “It’s probably a game-time decision based on how the week goes in terms of whether it’s (Lewerke’s) play, others’ play, or quite frankly, some injury situations,” Dantonio said to the Detroit News earlier this week. The expectation is that both quarterbacks will be used throughout the game, pending O’Connor is available to play.
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