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    • Michigan Michigan State Football Predictions: An Amazing Consensus
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    Michigan Michigan State Football Predictions: An Amazing Consensus

    Kathleen William Posted on

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    The annual rivalry game between Michigan football and Michigan State football is back, and it has a slightly historic feel to it: Not only is it the first time since 1995 that both programs have fielded a coach in his first year in the rivalry – back then, they were Lloyd Carr for UM and Nick Saban for MSU, and now it's Sherrone Moore and Jonathan Smith, respectively – but it's also the first time since 1928 that both teams enter the game with three losses.

    That game on November 17, 1928 ended in a 3-0 victory for the Wolverines, handing the Spartans their fourth loss of the season. Which squad will emerge from Saturday's game with a fourth defeat? Seven Free Press sports writers have some thoughts.

    STATE OF RIVALRY: This Michigan vs. Michigan State game has more excitement than you think

    Tony Garcia

    That this game isn't a clear outlier for the Wolverines shows both how far they've fallen and the step MSU has taken. UM must win the turnover battle and time of possession and use the run game to get past a strong MSU front. However, MSU believes it can win even with a turnover or a problem in the run game, with an edge on special teams and coaching. The choice: MSU 22, AT 19.

    Rainer Sabin

    It would have been unthinkable in the summer for MSU to win this game. But that was before everyone could see UM's dysfunctional offense and lazy quarterback play. The reigning national champions have plummeted due to declining firepower, losing their last two games. Now they face their in-state rivals, who just posted their best performance of the season against Iowa, a team with a limited passing game similar to Michigan.

    MSU appears more than capable of executing the same strategy it used against the Hawkeyes last Saturday to beat the Wolverines, who have specific matchup disadvantages on offense, defense and special teams. The choice: MSU 20, AT 16.

    RAINER SABIN: Michigan's major regression is unacceptable. Sherrone Moore is responsible

    Carlos Monarrez

    MSU appears to be starting to figure things out, while UM looks as lost as ever. The Spartans are riding high after last week's big win over Iowa and should have plenty of motivation to get revenge on the Wolverines for last year's 49-0 loss at Spartan Stadium. And if MSU needed any more motivation, a win could very well keep UM from making a full season bowl for the first time since 2014. The choice: MSU 22, AT 19.

    Jeff Seidel

    When I first saw UM this fall, I thought: MSU is going to beat the Wolverines. And nothing I saw this fall changed my mind.

    As bad as UM has looked, despite all the QB issues, the Wolverines certainly have a way to win this game: Run the ball, and then again, and don't turn it over. But the Spartans have a way, too: Keep doing what they've been doing, keep growing, keep improving, kick field goals when they're there and get the ball to Nick Marsh. Here's the biggest key: Aidan Chiles can't give it away. The choice: MSU 17, AT 14.

    Chris Solari

    A primetime showdown buried on the Big Ten Network will prove that TV executives made the wrong decision as the Spartans and Wolverines live up to their historically heated and intense rivalry with a Big Ten brawl of the highest magnitude.

    Chiles continues to be under pressure and UM manages to disrupt the rhythm early. But the much-improved MSU defense nullifies Kalel Mullings and the Wolverines' running game in a low-scoring affair, with Chiles leading the Spartans within field goal range, allowing Jonathan Kim to take enough shots to end a two-game losing streak against UM. The choice: MSU 20, AT 13.

    Jared Ramsey

    MSU's defense was strong against Iowa's standout running back Kaleb Johnson last week and should be able to employ a similar plan against Mullings and UM's Donovan Edwards regardless of whether another change at quarterback is in the offing. The Spartans' offense will struggle to move the ball on the ground against Michigan's front, but should do better throwing if Chiles (nine interceptions) can avoid giveaways. The choice: MSU 20, AT 17.

    Shawn Windsor

    The Spartans won't run the ball like they did against Iowa, but Aiden Chiles seems to have found something against the Hawkeyes and played his most confident game of the year. The Wolverines, meanwhile, will finally realize that Kalel Mullings needs touches, and early. That should help them score more than seven points like they did against Illinois. It won't be enough. The choice: MSU 23, UM 16.

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    Kathleen William
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