Michigan State Football: Game preview and prediction vs. Michigan

Here is the game preview and prediction for Saturday afternoon’s Michigan State football game against Michigan.

Coming into Saturday’s game, Michigan State football is bigger underdogs than it has been in the Mark Dantonio era. In fact, the Spartans haven’t been this big of underdogs since 1998 when they traveled to Columbus to take on the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes — they did win that game.

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 keys to victory vs. Michigan

No one knows who will be starting at quarterback between Brian Lewerke and Tyler O’Connor, and that’s an important piece to the puzzle. Michigan State needs to figure that out if it wants to have a shot. Also, the offensive and defensive lines need to play their best games of the season.

It’s time to put together a complete 60 minutes of football for the first time this year instead of just one half. If Michigan State can do that, it has a chance to pull off the unthinkable upset in East Lansing.

Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s Michigan State football game vs. Michigan:

Date: Saturday, October 29
Start Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, MI
Venue: Spartan Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

Michigan State needs to win the field position battle against the Wolverines. That may not seem like a major key to victory, but the Spartans struggled with it last year and it nearly cost them the game. This means keeping the ball away from Jabrill Peppers on punts and kickoffs and avoiding three-and-outs on a regular basis.

Defensively, limiting the big runs by Michigan’s prolific attack and forcing some three-and-outs of their own will be a major key. Getting pressure on Wilton Speight will be important as well as Riley Bullough’s presence on the field. Open-field tackling also needs major improvement.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Michigan -25
Over/Under: 55

Prediction

Michigan State, like it has done all year long, will keep this one close in the first half. There will be little offense on both sides and Michigan will take a 17-10 lead into the half, but the Spartans’ inability to get anything going on offense in the second half will do them in. Michigan isn’t going to beat the Spartans by 30-plus points like people are saying, but the Wolverines will win comfortably and Jim Harbaugh will attempt to run up the score.

Final: Michigan 37, Michigan State 17