Fansided

Michigan State vs Michigan preview, prediction, betting odds, live stream info

By Cody Williams

Sep 19, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh talks to quarterback Jake Rudock (15) in the fourth quarter against the UNLV Rebels at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh talks to quarterback Jake Rudock (15) in the fourth quarter against the UNLV Rebels at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 28-7. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State Spartans vs. Michigan Wolverines

The Michigan Wolverines will face their toughest test of the 2015 college football season to date when they battle the rival Michigan State Spartans for the Paul Bunyan Trophy in the Big House. Connor Cook, LJ Scott and Madre London will try and continue the Spartans’ recent dominance in the rivalry after winning six of the last seven meetings. Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines certainly have other plans as Jabrill Peppers and one of the country’s best defenses look to swing the rivalry in their favor.

Details for Saturday’s game are below:

Date: Saturday, October 17
Start Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Stadium: Michigan Stadium (The Big House)
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Here
Ticket information: For Michigan Wolverines ticket info click here. For Michigan State Spartans ticket info click here.

Keys to Victory

Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook and his duo of talented running backs in LJ Scott and Madre London are going to have to be fully in-sync on Saturday afternoon if they want to stay undefeated on the season. After two close calls in two consecutive weeks for Sparty against unranked opponents, there are questions about how good this Michigan State offense and team actually is. We’ll certainly find out as they’re going to have to be at their best in the Big House when they’re trying to put points on the board against a Harbaugh coached defense that hasn’t allowed a single point in three weeks, including two games against ranked opponents.

All indications are that the Wolverines defense is going to continue to cause problems on the field, even in this huge rivalry game. However, Jake Ruddock is going to be huge in the matchup in that he and running back De’Veon Smith have to get their offense flowing well enough to capitalize on the performance of their defense. Michigan State’s defense has appeared vulnerable, but Ruddock has been up-and-down at times this season so how he performs on such a big stage could very well decide the fate of the Wolverines in this game.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Michigan -7.5
Moneyline: Michigan Wolverines -300, Michigan State Spartans +250
O/U: 41.5

Prediction

We know what the Spartans offense is capable of when they’re on, but we’ve also seen how the team falls apart when they struggle. Against this Wolverines defense, I think they struggle and ultimately fall in this big rivalry game.

Final Score: Michigan State Spartans: 13, Michigan Wolverines: 24

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