The Michigan Wolverines announced starting quarterback Wilton Speight is out for a few weeks, so it’ll be up to backup John O’Korn to lead Michigan to a home win over the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC (live stream it on WatchESPN).
Michigan State vs. Michigan 2017 live stream: Game time and how to watch online
The Spartans don’t have to travel far for their in-state road game in Week 6.
Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images
O’Korn was able to get the win last week against a Purdue team on the rise, but handling Michigan State might be a different type of challenge. The Spartans are coming off a big conference win over Iowa — who just a week prior was two points shy of besting undefeated Penn State — with the still-improving defense allowing only 19 yards rushing on 25 attempts.
Time, TV channel, and streaming info
Michigan State vs. Michigan news:
- This rivalry has a long history of underdog victories.
- Can John O’Korn be the new starting QB for Michigan?
O’Korn passed his first test with flying colors, coming from behind on the road against Purdue, defeating both a hostile crowd and a Purdue pass-rush that was fierce. Simply put, he looked like a gamer, a guy who relishes a challenge and doesn’t fold under pressure.
- Both teams have clear statistical advantages over the other.
Michigan State will have to find a way to move the ball against the top unit in the nation, while also not turning it over. Michigan will have to find its footing on offense with a new quarterback.
- Sick of being called Michigan’s “little brother”, Michigan State will keep the game closer than it should be.
Michigan State hasn’t always kicked Michigan’s ass, but since then, the Spartans have always given their absolute best against Michigan, whether they’re contending for a Big Ten championship or just scrapping for their first conference win of the season. There is no better evidence of this than that, from 2008 through 2016, Michigan State is 9-0 against the spread versus Michigan. They’ve beaten the spread every single time.
An in-state, Big Ten East division rivalry game
It’s been a long 10 years for the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry. A rivalry whose flame was fanned when Wolverine alum Mike Hart used the term “little brother” to describe the Spartans after a close win in 2007. That was the first taste of in-state competition that MSU head coach Mark Dantonio had in his new position, and it didn’t take long for the heat to build between the two programs.
Since then, Dantonio has bested the team that once claimed dominance seven of the past nine times. Michigan has the last victory with a 32-23 win in 2016, but the history of this rivalry has proven that anything can happen on game day.
Michigan State vs. Michigan prediction:
If anyone has Michigan’s number, it’s its “little brother,” Michigan State — who will certainly use that moniker as motivation for at least the next century. The Spartans’ defense could prove to be too much for a Wolverines offense that has struggled throughout the beginning part of the season. It ends up being a defensive battle, with the Spartans pulling off the upset on the road.
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