Michigan @ Michigan State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 9, 2010 ) Michigan State 34, Michigan 17

THE STORY: No. 19 Michigan State will attempt to defeat unbeaten and 10th-ranked Michigan for the fourth straight time, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since 1959-62. When Mark Dantonio took over the Spartans program in 2007, he vowed to take control of a series that the Wolverines had controlled for years under former coach Lloyd Carr. After losing his first game against Michigan in 2007, Dantonio has responded with three straight wins, including last year’s 34-17 victory at the Big House. Michigan is 6-0 and will try for its first 7-0 start since 2006.

TV: ESPN LINE: Michigan State -2

ABOUT MICHIGAN (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten): Michigan kept its unbeaten season alive last week in come-from-behind fashion, rallying from a 10-point halftime deficit en route to a 42-24 victory over Northwestern. Michigan outscored the Wildcats 28-0 after halftime, continuing its stretch of second-half dominance. In six games, the Wolverines have outscored opponents 114-21 in the second half, including two straight second-half shutouts against Big Ten foes. The Wolverines also have forced 17 turnovers on the year, two more than they did all of last season.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten): The Spartans have the nation’s top-ranked defense and have allowed opponents to reach the end zone only five times in five games. In their last outing, they held Ohio State scoreless until the final seconds of a 10-7 victory. Now Michigan State has had a bye week to prepare for its in-state rival. Quarterback Kirk Cousins — considered one of the country’s top quarterbacks entering the season — has only six touchdowns to four interceptions in 2011, but Dantonio told reporters earlier this week that he isn’t concerned about his signal-caller’s lack of production and has been impressed with his on-field leadership.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Michigan State’s 34-17 win last year was its largest margin of victory against the Wolverines since 1967, a 34-0 Spartans victory.

2. Thirty-eight of the last 41 meetings have been won by the team who has rushed for the most yards.

3. The winner will take sole possession of first place in the Legends division and will be the lone team without a conference loss.

PREDICTION: Michigan State 31, Michigan 25. The Spartans have the speed and talent on defense to at least slow down Robinson, and Cousins should be able to make just enough plays to come through with a close home victory.