Michigan State @ Michigan preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 15, 2011 ) Michigan 14, Michigan State 28

Michigan State’s goal of winning the Big Ten and playing in the Rose Bowl is looking more and more like a long shot with each backbreaking loss. The Spartans fell to 1-2 in conference play last weekend and have dropped out of the Top 25. One thing that could greatly improve their outlook on the last half of the season would be a win over rival Michigan. The No. 25 Wolverines are undefeated in the Big Ten and are tied for first in the Legends Division. Michigan has rolled over inferior opponents but has yet to post a win over strong competition. The Wolverines will not face another ranked team until the regular-season finale at Ohio State, but have struggled with their in-state rivals, dropping four straight to the Spartans. Michigan will be looking to end that streak when it hosts Michigan State on Saturday.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Michigan -10

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (4-3, 1-2 Big Ten): The Spartans matched their longest winning streak in the series in last season’s 28-14 triumph in East Lansing. The defense held Michigan to 250 total yards and forced a turnover while Kirk Cousins threw for a pair of touchdowns and Edwin Baker dominated on the ground. The defense has at times been that strong in 2012 but the offense has taken a big step back. With Cousins now in the NFL with the Washington Redskins backing up Robert Griffin III, Michigan State is averaging only 21.0 points - 104th in the nation. Junior running back Le’Veon Bell has been asked to carry much of the burden and has at least 29 carries in four of the Spartans’ seven games. He rushed 29 times for 140 yards and a score last week, but it wasn’t enough in a 19-16 double overtime home loss to Iowa.

ABOUT MICHIGAN (4-2, 2-0): Brady Hoke suffered his first loss as coach of the Wolverines against the Spartans last season, when Denard Robinson was harassed into a 9 for 24 passing performance. Robinson ended up throwing for 123 yards and one interception and was held to only 42 yards on the ground. The dual-threat quarterback has had similar struggles in 2012 against ranked teams Alabama and Notre Dame, combining for one touchdown and six interceptions in those two losses. But Robinson and the Wolverines offense has looked unstoppable in back-to-back wins over Purdue and Illinois by a combined 89-13. Robinson rushed for two touchdowns and threw for two more against the Illini. With games against Northwestern and Iowa at home in November, Michigan could control its own destiny for the Legends Division.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The school that won the rushing battle has taken 39 of the last 42 games in the series.

2. Michigan leads the all-time series 67-32-5, including 48-20-3 at home.

3. The Spartans have not lost consecutive conference games in the same season since falling to Iowa and Minnesota in October 2009.

PREDICTION: Michigan 35, Michigan State 31