Michigan Wolverines vs. Michigan State Spartans Pick & Prediction OCT 30TH 2021
Diego Garcia
The Legendary Michigan-Michigan State rivalry will definitely return this weekend. Both programs are ranked inside the top-10, and the victor will take a huge step towards making the playoffs.
Michigan led the all-time series 71-37-5 and took last year’s matchup 27-24. The Wolverines, however, are ranked ahead of them this year, though they are without a ranked win.
Only one team will emerge with a still-flawless record when these two undefeated sides meet. The game is set to kick off inside Spartan Stadium this Saturday at noon Eastern.
Michigan vs. Michigan State Betting Odds
TV: Fox
MONEY LINE: #6 Michigan (-205) vs. #8 Michigan State (+164)
SPREAD: #6 Michigan -4.5 (-106) vs #8 Michigan State +4.5 (-114)
GAME TOTAL: Over 52.5 (-105) vs. Under 52.5 (-115)
#6 Michigan vs. #8 Michigan State Preview
Michigan’s dominant 7-0 start has come on the back of a tremendous defense allowing 14.3 points per game. The Wolverines have only allowed more than 17 points once, stifling most teams they encounter.
A major criticism of Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan tenure is that he cannot find a true quarterback to lead. Starter Cade McNamara has been decent, however, tossing for 1,115 yards, five touchdowns, and an interception. Still, this is a running team with two backs over 600 yards and 25 touchdowns on the ground.
The defense is full of speedy athletes that can fly from sideline to sideline. Michigan’s focus will be on the line of scrimmage, dominated by Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo (five sacks each).
Michigan State, like the visitors, has started 7-0, though they have beaten one ranked opponent (#24 Miami). They, too, have a solid defense, which is allowing just under 19 points per contest.
Payton Thorne leads his squad with 1,701 yards, 15 touchdowns, and four picks. Running back Kenneth Walker is one of the best in the nation, posting 997 yards and nine scores. Jayden Reed and Jalen Nailor are over 500 yards each, with 11 total TDs.
The Spartans’ defense loves to bring the heat, totaling 26 sacks this season. Occasionally, their aggression can get them burned, but they are tough to break down otherwise.
Michigan vs. Michigan State Picks
This game is going to be extremely heated due to the nature of the rivalry. Whoever wins has a solid chance of moving into the top-five, as neither Oklahoma nor Ohio State have convinced.
Stylistically, Michigan should have the advantage. The Spartans are a respectable 31st in rushing defense, but Michigan’s ground attack could overpower them. On the flip side, Michigan is 24th against the run, which should help contain Kenneth Walker.
The last time these two met, it only took three points to separate them. This game should be somewhere in that same area, as neither is likely to get blown out. Take Michigan to win an extremely close game.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Michigan leads the all-time series 71-37-5.
2. Michigan has not yet beaten a ranked opponent, while MSU has.
3. The winner will move to first place in the Big 10.
Best Bet: #6 Michigan -4.5 (-106)
Michigan Wolverines vs. Michigan State Spartans Recap OCT 30TH 2021
Kenneth Walker III scored his fifth rushing touchdown to lift No. 8 Michigan State to a 37-33 victory against No. 6 Michigan in a Big Ten rivalry showdown Saturday in East Lansing.
The Spartans (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) overcame a 16-point, second-half deficit against the Wolverines (7-1, 4-1), who led 30-14 midway through the third quarter.
Walker rushed for 197 yards on 23 carries and Payton Thorne passed for 196 yards for Michigan State. Walker's go-ahead 23-yard score came with 5:08 remaining.
Cade McNamara passed for a career-high 383 yards and two touchdowns for Michigan. Andrel Anthony caught six passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns, including a 93-yard hookup in the first quarter.
The Wolverines led 23-14 at halftime.
They opened the scoring with McNamara's 93-yard touchdown pass to Anthony.
A Mike Morris interception of a deflected Thorne pass led to Jake Moody's 26-yard field goal later in the quarter.
The Spartans broke through on the first play of the second quarter on Walker's 27-yard scoring run. Moody nailed a 38-yard field goal on Michigan's next possession.
Michigan State took the lead with 7:16 left in the half on Walker's 8-yard run. It was set up by Thorne's 40-yard, fourth-down pass to Jalen Nailor.
J.J. McCarthy completed a 17-yard touchdown pass to Anthony with 3:45 left in the half to put Michigan back on top. An apparent Michigan defensive touchdown late in the half was overturned on replay when Thorne was ruled down after getting sacked. Moody kicked a 35-yard field goal in the closing seconds.
Michigan took a 30-14 lead midway through the third quarter on McNamara's 19-yard pass to Mike Sainristil.
Jayden Reed caught a 28-yard pass on fourth down to set up Walker's third touchdown, a 1-yard plunge. The Spartans added a two-point conversion to cut the Wolverines' lead to eight.
Walker then exploded through the line of scrimmage for a 58-yard touchdown with 12:29 remaining. Thorne's conversion pass to Reed tied it at 30-all.
The Wolverines regained the lead on Moody's 36-yard field goal with 9:20 left,
Following a McCarthy fumble, Walker burst through the middle for a 23-yard score with 5:08 remaining to give the Spartans a 37-33 advantage.
Charles Brantley's interception of a McNamara pass with one minute left sealed the Spartans' win.
--Field Level Media