Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
Line: Michigan State -17, Total: 49.5

Rivals collide in East Lansing on Saturday as No. 8 Michigan State hosts a Michigan team looking to save its season.

The Wolverines are coming off a bye week, and on Oct. 11 they snapped a three-game losing skid with an 18-13 win over Penn State. Since a Week 2 loss at Oregon, the Spartans have been rolling. Michigan State has scored less than 45 points only once in the past five games, and is coming off a 56-point performance last week when it racked up 662 total yards in a 56-17 win at Indiana. The Spartans are 7-4 (SU and ATS) at home in this series since 1993 and dominated last season’s game by defeating the Wolverines, 29-6. In that contest, Michigan set a school record for futility by rushing for minus-48 yards. The score was only 13-6 at the half, but MSU pulled away behind QB Connor Cook’s 252 passing yards. The key to Saturday's game may be who gets to 28 points. The Wolverines are 2-0 SU this season when scoring at least 28, while Michigan State is 11-1 ATS the past two seasons when it reaches 28 points. While the Spartans have no significant injuries, Michigan has three questionable players for this rivalry game in DB Jabrill Peppers (leg), WR Jehu Chesson (undisclosed) and OL Erik Magnuson (undisclosed).

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It has been a very tough season for the Wolverines thus far, in large part due to an offense that has struggled to get into any kind of flow. Michigan enters this game ranked 66th in the nation in rushing (164 YPG), 108th in scoring (21.7 PPG) and 110th in passing (176 YPG). Senior QB Devin Gardner (1,103 pass yards, 6 TD, 8 INT) has had his problems, but the fact he is even playing is an accomplishment itself. At the end of the Penn State game last week, Gardner was barely able to get to the running back fast enough on the stretch play, as a leg injury was causing major problems. Against a Michigan State defense that gets after the quarterback, the offensive line will have to step up, as Gardner just doesn’t have the mobility he has shown when healthy. That means RB De’Veon Smith (59 carries, 306 yards, 4 TD), who is filling in for the injured Derrick Green (broken collarbone), must have a big game to take some of the pressure off Gardner. WR Devin Funchess (36 catches, 461 yards, 4 TD) is a big physical receiver on the outside, but he has only one touchdown since the season opener. The Spartans defense is terrific, but Indiana found some big plays in the game last weekend. Michigan’s defense has played pretty well as of late, and ranks 30th in the country in points allowed (21.4 PPG). LB Jake Ryan (56 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 sacks) is the leader of this unit. DE Brennen Beyer (20 tackles, 4 TFL, 4 sacks) has shown the ability to get after the quarterback, while DB Jourdan Lewis (27 tackles, 2 INT, 4 pass breakups) can make the big play. This unit is going to have to play at a top level, as the Spartans offense is as good as there is in the country.

Michigan State ranks third in the nation in scoring (47 PPG), 16th in rushing (260 YPG) and 42nd in passing (265 YPG). Heady QB Connor Cook (1,641 pass yards, 16 TD, 5 INT) has continued to develop, and his job is made easy with a strong ground game, as RB Jeremy Langford (125 carries, 664 yards, 7 TD) is the type of bruising running back the team has had in the past few seasons. He started off slow this season, but has had four consecutive games of at least 100 yards. RB Nick Hill (76 carries, 465 yards, 6 TD) is a great change-of-pace runner, and rushed for 178 yards and a touchdown last week against Indiana. He is the speed back of the two, and this combination has proven to be a nightmare for opposing defenses. On the outside, WR Tony Lippett (39 catches, 786 yards, 8 TD) has the ability to make the big play. He has five games this season of at least 100 yards, including three consecutive games. WR Josiah Price (15 catches, 244 yards, 4 TD) is an emerging player that makes it tough for opponents to double-team Lippett. The defense is once again solid, ranking 34th in points allowed (21.6 PPG). However, the unit has given up some big plays as of late, allowing three of at least 50 yards versus Indiana, including runs of 65 and 75 yards. The defense is led by star DE Shilique Calhoun (5 sacks, 22 tackles, 7.5 TFL). While those are huge stats, he is facing constant double teams, allowing teammates easier opportunities to make a play on the quarterback. S Kurtis Drummond (33 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 INT) is all over the field, doing a great job both against the run and the pass. LB Ed Davis (6 sacks, 28 tackles, 8 TFL) has benefited the most from having Calhoun, as he has become a terror for opposing quarterbacks. With Gardner’s mobility in question because of his leg injury, any time the Wolverines are in third-and-long situations, look for the Spartans to bring the pressure.