Story by
Michigan State vs Michigan Prediction: Are the Wolverines Still Alive?
- Story by
- Michigan State vs Michigan Prediction: Are the Wolverines Still Alive?
The rivalry date between Michigan and Michigan State matters, but it's been a rough run for the Spartans.
Michigan State has lost the last four in the series, going back to a 37-33 win in 2021. This year, Pat Fitzgerald hasn't had a lick of luck after a 2-0 start, dropping a tough overtime heartbreaker to Illinois and having the revenge game against Northwestern right there,
only to have a late kick blocked. Sparty is on a six-game losing streak, and the injury situation is ridiculous, but beat Michigan, and the season is made.
To get a little crazy, in a year when eventual 9-3 SEC teams will be deep in the mix for the College Football Playoff, if CFP-unranked Michigan can win out against MSU, at Oregon, UCLA, and at Ohio State – and as the only Big Ten team with a win over an SEC team (Oklahoma) – all of a sudden, it would be in the discussion.
But first, Kyle Whittingham has to take the Paul Bunyan Trophy, and then, it's on.
Michigan State vs Michigan: Quick Hits
-
Michigan State closes out with Washington and Oregon at home before going to Rutgers. It has to win out to be bowl eligible.
-
Michigan lost three games in four before slipping past Rutgers 28-21. Seven of the eight Wolverine games – 52-17 over UTEP the outlier – were decided by a touchdown or less.
-
The first meeting was in 1898 – a 39-0 Michigan win. The next meeting was in 1902 – Michigan won 119-0.
Advertisement
How To Watch Michigan State vs Michigan
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Game Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: Peacock
Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
– Week 10 Schedule, Predictions
– CFN Top 25
| Bowl Projections
– Expert Picks: Week 10
Why Michigan State Will Win
Michigan's offense can't find anything that consistently works. The Wolverine passing game wasn't miserable against Rutgers, but the running game was held to under four yards per carry. Before that, the passing game couldn't hit 170 yards in the previous three games.
Michigan State has to do everything possible to simply hang around. It hasn't been able to pull off close wins in tight moments, but it's overdue for the right breaks – all the pressure is on the other side of the ball. The Spartans don't get penalized enough to matter, and they don't beat themselves, but …
Advertisement
Why Michigan Will Win
The only way this works for Michigan State is if it comes up with a ton of takeaways and can capitalize on every opportunity. Two weeks ago, the Spartans forced two fumbles against UCLA, but before that, they came up with three takeaways in the previous seven games.
Michigan State is gutted by injuries. Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic is still hurt – he missed the UCLA game – and with star back Cam Edwards out for the year since Week 4, Jaziun Patterson stepped in and was strong. He's hurt and out, too. This isn't an offense that can afford big personnel losses.
No, the Michigan offense isn't going to suddenly air it out – it doesn't have to. As long as the attack doesn't screw up, the defense should take care of the rest.
Michigan State vs Michigan Prediction, Betting Lines
Michigan State will have the energy and the fight, but it won't have the offense to deal with a Wolverine defense that's playing at an elite level.
Rutgers completed 3-of-12 passes against the Wolverines. Indiana completed 8-of-18 passes the week before. Michigan State's offense won't be able to do enough to take advantage of a strong day from its defense.
Advertisement
Michigan 26, Michigan State 13
Latest Consensus Line: Michigan -13.5, o/u: 39.5
ATS Confidence (out of 5)
: 2
Must See Rating (out of 5)
: 3
Consensus line based on BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
