Losing a couple weeks ago to the Penn State Nittany Lions and then allowing 50 points to the Indiana Hoosiers in week eight, the Michigan Wolverines are looking to shake the handful of close games they have played in recently. Michigan is 6-1 on the year and they are looking at a Big Ten title.
On the other side of the field, the Michigan State Spartans are finally in the Top 25 for week 10 and they hope to not look back as a 7-1 squad. In 2010 and 2011, the Spartans won over 10 games in both seasons and they are looking to win 10-plus in three of four seasons — the best mark in recent memory for the program.
Devin Gardner has been a turnover machine for the Wolverines. The junior quarterback has been prone to losing the ball either with fumbles or throwing 10 interceptions on the season at the midpoint. He will need to buckle down and protect the ball this week, playing against the best defense in the nation. Gardner has 1,779 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year to go along with 520 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. Fitzgerald Toussaint leads the rushing attack with 575 yards and 11 scores on the year. Jeremy Gallon has been a superstar in the pass game, catching 45 passes for 831 yards and seven touchdowns.
Michigan State is coming off a huge win on the road that has set the stage for this week 10 bout against in-state rival, Michigan. The Spartans have had quarterback controversies this season, but have settled on Connor Cook, who has started since week three for this team, passing for 1,238 yards and 12 touchdowns on the year. He hasn’t been overly-impressive, but has come in clutch when Mark Dantonio was looking for someone to step up. Macgarrett Kings Jr. has stepped up as the top wide out in the pass game, catching 26 passes for 303 yards and three scores. The run game hasn’t suffered much since losing Le’Veon Bell as it ranks 37th in the nation thanks to the strong play of Jeremy Langford who has 655 yards and nine touchdowns on the year.
Defensively, the Wolverines were one of the best units a season ago, but rank 63rd in the nation in points allowed per game while also ranking 21st in the country in yards allowed per game. Michigan State has allowed just three points in the past two games, leading to a third-ranking in points allowed per game in the country to go along with the best defense in the nation in terms of total yards allowed per game.
Michigan will travel to Michigan State to take on the Spartans at 3:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, Nov. 2. The game will be broadcasted on ABC.
PREDICTION: Michigan 17, Michigan State 28
Related: Michigan State Shakes Off Slow Start, Dominates Illinois
Michigan Wolverines’ Running Game Shows Signs of Improvement
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at .
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