Michigan vs Michigan State Week 9 Predictions, Picks, Odds, and NCAA College Football Preview

(Photo : Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) LINCOLN, NE - Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines leads the team on the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans will put their unbeaten records on the line when they square off in a mouth-watering Big Ten showdown at the Spartan Stadium this coming Saturday. Both teams are ranked in the top 10 for the first time since 1964 so expect a blockbuster clash in Week 9. Which team will emerge with a perfect 8-0 record in this Michigan vs Michigan State clash?

Michigan Wolverines installed as -2.5 favorites

Momentum is with the Michigan Wolverines heading into Saturday's showdown with Michigan State after beating the Northwestern Wildcats, 33-7, in Week 8. It was another impressive victory for the Wolverines, who improved their season record to 7-0. They have won their first seven outings by an average of 23.4 points.

Michigan's defense has been outstanding to start the season, allowing just 14.3 points per game, the second-fewest in the FBS. The Wolverines limited the Wildcats to a single touchdown in Week 8 as they managed to record just 233 total yards.

For the Wolverines to preserve their unbeaten record against Michigan State, they will need to establish their ground attack this coming Saturday. Michigan ran for 294 yards in the win against Northwestern, the bulk of which came from Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins.

Corum rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, while Haskins ran for 110 yards and two scores on 23 carries. The Wolverines have been unstoppable on the ground this season, recording an average of 253.3 rushing yards per game, the fifth-best in the nation.

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Michigan State Spartans enter Week 9 as +2.5 underdogs

Michigan State preserved its unbeaten record on Saturday with a narrow 20-15 win over Indiana. Payton Thorne threw for 126 yards and a touchdown for the Spartans, who started the season 7-0 for the first time since 2015.

Things are bound to get more challenging for Michigan State in Week 9, with mighty Michigan standing in its way this weekend. The Wolverines have won their last two meetings against the Spartans in East Lansing dating back to 2016.

For Michigan State to record the upset against Michigan, the Spartans will need to get their ground attack going. Michigan State ran for just 100 yards in the win against Indiana, with Kenneth Walker III only recording 84 rushing yards.

Walker has been a beast for the Spartans on the ground this season, rushing for 142.4 yards per game, the second-best in the country. He already has nine touchdowns this year. However, Walker will have his work cut out for him against a Michigan defensive line that has allowed just three rushing touchdowns this season.

The Wolverines are 24th in the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 116.6 yards per game this campaign. 

Writer's Prediction

Michigan wins and covers the spread.

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