In 106 previous meetings with in-state rival Michigan State, the Michigan Wolverines have never been as much as a 16.5-point underdog. But that's what Michigan faces when it travels to East Lansing Saturday for its annual confrontation with Sparty. Kickoff from Spartan Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m. ET, with television coverage on ABC.
How to watch Michigan vs. Michigan State: Game time, TV schedule, online streaming and more
Michigan finds itself in an unfamiliar position Saturday: Giant underdog against Michigan State. Here’s how to watch it.
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
The Spartans are currently 6-1, undefeated in the Big Ten, and the conference’s best hope for making the four-team College Football Playoff. Michigan State is led by one of the nation’s highest-scoring offenses and a defense that has maintained its trademark stinginess. Quarterback Connor Cook has emerged as a Big Ten Player of the Year contender, throwing for more than 230 yards per game and completing 16 touchdowns so far.
If Michigan coach Brady Hoke thought that a win over Penn State and a week off would cool his hot seat, he was mistaken. The Wolverines can eke out a bowl trip with three wins in their final five games, but both this week and a season-ending trip to Ohio State look increasingly difficult. An upset of the Spartans could increase Michigan’s postseason chances exponentially and placate the fans for at least another week.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game time: Saturday, October 25, 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Radio: Michigan State radio affiliates from the Spartan Sports Network; Michigan radio affiliates from Michigan Sports Network
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Our blogs on these schools
The numbers
Rankings and records: At 6-1, Michigan State is ranked eighth by the Associated Press and fifth by the coaches. Michigan is 3-4 and unranked.
Vegas: The Spartans are 16.5-point favorites over the Wolverines, making Saturday’s game just the fifth time since its 1997 national championship season that Michigan is a two-touchdown underdog.
Weather forecast: Clear and unseasonably warm, with a gametime temperature in the mid-60s.
Two things at stake
There is one incredibly important thing at stake: The Paul Bunyan Trophy, one of two Paul Bunyan-related trophies in the Big Ten trophy game pantheon. The four-foot wooden statue was first used in 1953.
Michigan State, which defeated the Wolverines five times in the last six games, has not taken six of seven from its in-state rival since 1956-62.
One big matchup
Michigan running game vs. MSU defense: Brady Hoke has promised that Michigan will return to the running game Saturday, a task probably easier said than done against Sparty's stout defense. Michigan is averaging 164 rushing yards per game, with running backs Derrick Green and De'Veon Smith splitting carries until Green broke his clavicle, ending his season. Now Smith and quarterback Devin Gardner will have to carry the Michigan offense.
Further reading
Maize n Brew handles the Wolverines, while The Only Colors covers the Spartans.
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