Michigan vs. Michigan State: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

This in-state rivalry between the No. 8 Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines has taken a dramatic turn over the past several seasons. No longer are the Wolverines the dominant team in this matchup, as Mark Dantonio's squad has emerged as one of the nation's elite.

Regardless of where these teams currently rank or how they've fared so far this season, this contest is a gritty dogfight each and every year.

The Spartans are riding a five-game winning streak since losing in Week 2 to Oregon and have regained the potential to earn a berth in this year's College Football Playoff. The Wolverines snapped a three-game losing skid in Week 7 against Penn State and come into this game refreshed after a bye week. Michigan must win three of its last five to gain bowl eligibility.

Will a well-balanced Spartans team dominate its rival and continue its hopes of earning a spot in the Top Four, or will the Wolverines play spoiler? There's certainly plenty at stake for both teams on Saturday.

Offensive Questions

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Both of these teams have been relatively good on the defensive side of the ball throughout the season. Michigan State is allowing an average of 21.6 points per game while Michigan is giving up just 21.4. It will take a productive offense to break through these sound defensive units.

The Wolverines have been wildly inconsistent on the offensive side of the ball this season. The team started with a promising performance against Appalachian State in Week 1, putting up 52 points and 560 yards en route to a blowout win. Unfortunately, that performance hasn't repeated itself.

Since then, Michigan has scored more than 18 points just twice. Quarterback Devin Gardner has been inconsistent, and the team's running game struggled against Penn State in Week 7 without Derrick Green in the fold.

Without a rushing attack to complement the passing game, this Michigan offense could continue to struggle against better defenses—like Michigan State's.

On the flip side, the Spartans offense has taken flight thanks to the efforts of quarterback Connor Cook. This team has been known for its defense, but Cook and Co. have gained nationwide notoriety as the third-ranked offense, averaging 47.0 points per game.

Cook torched Indiana in Week 8, throwing for 332 yards and three scores. He's been able to put up gaudy numbers due to defenses attempting to stack the box to stop the Spartans' vaunted rushing attack. Take a look at what Michigan State's two-headed rushing attack did to Indiana:

Player	Rush	Yds	Avg	TD
Nick Hill	16	178	11.1	1
Jeremy Langford	21	109	5.2	3

Delton Williams added another five carries for 55 yards and a score to those numbers. This will be a very intriguing matchup against a Michigan run defense that has been very good this season, ranking fourth in the nation by allowing just 93.6 yards per game.

Battle in the Trenches

SAM RICHE/Associated Press

Michigan State's rushing attack will be a great test for Michigan's stout run defense; however, the Wolverines must figure something out to get past the Spartans' eighth-ranked run defense.

We already touched on the fact that Gardner has been inconsistent this season, and if he doesn't have a complementary ground game, his passing woes could be extremely apparent on Saturday. The Wolverines need a far better performance from De'Veon Smith, who carried 12 times for just 24 yards against Penn State.

Michigan's rushing totals against the Nittany Lions were not impressive at all:

Player	Rush	Yds	Avg	TD
De'Veon Smith	12	24	2.0	0
Justice Hayes	7	20	2.9	0
Devin Gardner	10	18	1.8	0
Dennis Norfleet	1	3	3.0	0

Here's why the Wolverines desperately need a balanced attack: They must keep the Spartans pass rush off balance. Michigan State is ranked fourth in the nation in sacks, accumulating an impressive 26 on the season. If the ground game isn't working for the Wolverines, this pass rush will be all over Gardner for the duration of the game.

Meanwhile, Michigan State's offensive line has been absolutely stellar this season. The team boasts the nation's top-ranked unit, allowing just four sacks so far this season. While Michigan's 18 sacks this season are nothing to sneeze at, the team's pass rush will have difficulty getting into the backfield.

Michigan State has a big advantage in the trenches and will benefit from playing in front of its home crowd. Michigan will be attempting to keep up while dealing with excessive crowd noise at the same time. That's not a recipe for success.

If the Wolverines can't figure out how to deal with Michigan State's big men, this one could get out of hand quickly on Saturday.

When: Saturday, October 25

Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

Where: Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan

Channel: ABC

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Betting Lines (via Odds Shark):

• Over/Under: 49.5
• Spread: Michigan State -17

Team Injury Reports

Player	Pos.	Date	Status	Injury
Jack Allen	C	10/19/2014	Questionable	leg
Mylan Hicks	LB	10/07/2014	Out	arm
Gerald Holmes	RB	10/19/2014	Questionable	knee
James Kittredge	DT	10/19/2014	Questionable	lower body

Player	Pos.	Date	Status	Injury
Kyle Bosch	G	09/04/2014	Out	personal
Jehu Chesson	WR	10/19/2014	Questionable	undisclosed
Devin Funchess	WR	10/19/2014	Questionable	undisclosed
Devin Gardner	QB	10/19/2014	Probable	foot
Derrick Green	RB	10/06/2014	Out	collarbone
Drake Harris	WR	08/30/2014	Out	hamstring
Ty Isaac	RB	08/28/2014	Out	eligibility
Erik Magnuson	OL	10/19/2014	Questionable	undisclosed
Desmond Morgan	LB	08/31/2014	Out	arm
Shane Morris	QB	10/19/2014	Questionable	head
Jabril Peppers	CB	10/19/2014	Questionable	undisclosed
Csonte'e York	WR	08/09/2014	Out	disciplinary

Injury reports per The Sports Network, via USA Today.

Prediction

It sure does look as though Michigan State has practically all of the advantages heading into this one. The Spartans play at home, are more physical in the trenches and have a better running game, a more efficient passing game and a formidable defense.

As for the Wolverines, they must figure out how to get a ground game established without Green in the fold. We also have to keep our eyes on the availability of wide receiver Devin Funchess, who is questionable for the game.

Michigan's injury report is lengthy, and without several key players in the fold, the Wolverines just won't be able to hang with a very well-rounded Spartans team. This one ends with Sparty on top by a decent margin.

Prediction: Michigan State 38, Michigan 18