There’s no bigger game in Week 7 than No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 12 Michigan. The rivals are set to clash each with red-hot streaks going for them. Michigan State remains unbeaten at 6-0, while Michigan has won five straight after losing its season opener.
Read on as we break down this heated rivalry game between Big Ten conference teams. If you’re up for more college football action, then you can check out some of Week 7’s huge matchups in No. 10 Alabama vs. No. 9 Texas A&M and USC vs. No. 14 Notre Dame.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Michigan State Spartans vs. Michigan Wolverines Preview
Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor
When: Saturday, October 17, 3:30 PM ET
Line: Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Wolverines – view all NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Michigan State Spartans (6-0)
Yet again, the Michigan State Spartans had an ugly victory. They beat Rutgers 31-24 on a late touchdown after falling 14-10 in a mistake-filled first half. But a win is a win and the Spartans continue to roll on undefeated.
Quarterback Connor Cook was at his best when he was needed the most. He completed 23 of 38 passes for a season-high 357 yards and two touchdowns. His best throw was a huge 29-yard third-down pass to keep the Spartans’ game-winning 76-yard drive alive late in the fourth quarter.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]None of the receiving corps benefitted more than senior wide receiver Aaron Burbridge, whocaught nine passes for 146 yards. He caught four passes for gains of 20-plus yards or more. But he may have a tamer game against Michigan. The Wolverines have allowed just five yards of 20+ yard pass plays this season, tied for first in the nation.
Michigan ranks among the best teams in passing defense this season, allowing just 115.5 yards per game. In order for Cook to uncork his cannon of an arm, he’ll need the ground game to churn out some hard-fought yards.
The Spartans struggled to get going without lead running back L.J. Scott in the first half of Week 6’s win against Rutgers. They finished, rushing for just 3.5 yards per carry. But Scott gave Michigan State a spark in the second half, rushing for 42 yards and two scores on nine carries. The Wolverines are also pretty solid against the run, allowing just 65.8 yards rushing per game.
The Spartans have won six of their last seven against Michigan, going a perfect 7-0 against the spread.
Betting on the Michigan Wolverines (5-1)
While their Big Ten rivals struggle to close out tight wins, the Michigan Wolverines have been rumbling through their opposition. The Wolverines scored their third-straight shutout in Week 6, beating the No. 13 Northwestern Wildcats 38-0. The Wolverines shut out Maryland 28-0 and then No. 22 BYU 31-0 in Weeks 4 and 5 respectively.
Michigan did it with an impressive all-around performance. The Wolverines scored touchdowns on a kickoff return, interception and offense for the first time since 1991 against Boston College. Jehu Chesson returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown, Jourdan Lewis had a pick-six. Running back Drake Johnson scored on a one-yard plunge, while quarterback Jake Rudock put six on the board on a two-yard scramble.
Lead running back De’Veon Smith had a team-high 59 yards on eight carries. He could’ve had more touches, but keeping him fresh for next week’s crucial game against Michigan State is the priority after he missed Week 5 with an injured right ankle. Fully healthy, Smith should aid the Wolverines in cracking Michigan State’s front seven, which allows just 3.7 yards per carry to opposing running backs.
Quarterback Rudock should have a solid effort in this game after completing 17 of 23 passes for 179 yards with no interceptions against Northwestern’s then-seventh ranked passing defense in the league in Week 6. The Spartans have been vulnerable through the pass, allowing 242 yards per game. The Spartans allowed three touchdown passes against Rutgers last week; two came from 28 and 39 yards.
The Wolverines have won seven of their last nine home games against Michigan State, but are just 4-5 ATS in those matchups.
Writer’s Prediction
The Spartans eke out another tight win on the road to preserve their unbeaten record. Create a betting account now and cash in on the biggest college football rivalries this season.
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