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Michigan State vs. Michigan: Score predictions, analysis from Spartans Wire staff
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- Michigan State vs. Michigan: Score predictions, analysis from Spartans Wire staff
Michigan State football will look to snap a pair of lengthy losing streaks on Saturday night against archival Michigan -- so does the Spartans Wire staff think they can pull off the upset?
Michigan State returns from the bye week with arguably its biggest game of the season ahead of them on Saturday night in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Spartans come into this matchup looking to snap a six-game losing skid and also a four-game losing streak against rival Michigan that dates back to 2021.
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The Spartans are 2-6 overall on the year and 0-5 in Big Ten play. Michigan has also had a relatively disappointing season for their preseason expectations, but still sit with a much better record of 5-3 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten play.
Kickoff in this rivalry game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. This matchup will be available to watch on Peacock or NBCSN.
Let's take a look at our predictions for this week's matchup between Michigan State and Michigan below:
Andrew Brewster
Michigan State’s Anelu Lafaele celebrates after a stop against Northwestern during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Prediction:Michigan State 17, Michigan 13
I'm ready to get crazy. I'm predicting that MSU wins their first Big Ten win of the season against their rivals on the road. Rutgers almost shocked Michigan this past weekend. I think MSU can take it a step forward and take the win.
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Robert Bondy
Oct 3, 2026; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Pat Fitzgerald looks on during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Prediction:Michigan 23, Michigan State 10
It'll be interesting to see what Michigan State looks like out of the bye week because heading into it they had numerous injury concerns. I'm ultimately anticipating a healthier and better Spartans product this week, but in the end, I still struggle to see them scoring enough points to win this game. They'll keep it close through halftime, but then the dam will eventually break in the second half.
Cory Linsner
Michigan State’s Alessio Milivojevic throws a pass against Illinois during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Prediction:Michigan 27, Michigan State 13
Michigan State is just way too injured for me to believe they can win this game. Potentially getting Alessio Milivojevic back gives the offense a chance to have success, but the massive injuries across the defense gives me little confidence that the Spartans come out on top of this one. I do believe the MSU energy will carry them a decent way.
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Rest of our Big Ten picks
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Corey Smith (84) gets away from Oregon Ducks defensive back Reggie Daniels (8) after making a pass during the 2nd quarter in College Football Playoff Championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January 12, 2015. Smith then fumbles the ball and loses it to Oregon Ducks. (Dispatch photo by Kyle Robertson)
Interested in our picks for the rest of the Big Ten games this week? Click here to check out our picks against the spread for each Big Ten game on the schedule this week.
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State vs. Michigan: Score predictions, analysis from Spartans Wire staff
