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The time is finally upon us.
The #7 Michigan State Spartans (6-0) travel to Ann Arbor to take on #12 Michigan (5-1) in the first rivalry showdown of the Jim Harbaugh era.
Mark Dantonio's program has dominated the series of late, winning six of the last seven meetings between the two teams en route to developing one of the superpowers in college football today.
There is much more on the line than just bragging rights on Saturday. With two of the best teams in the Big Ten taking the field, conference title -- and perhaps even college football playoff -- implications are on the line.
A month or so ago, Michigan fans were hoping this would be a game where they maybe could pull off an upset or at least have a good showing. Now, the Wolverines have emerged as a better team than all of us gave them credit for and Harbaugh has them playing excellent football. Talk of a rebuilding year is out the door.
Michigan State has battled injuries and inconsistencies so far this season, but these are the types of games they get up for, especially against the rival Wolverines. Dantonio has placed a huge emphasis on this game, and rightfully so, since he arrived in East Lansing.
The Spartans and Wolverines, at least on paper, are back to being equals and both are contenders this year. For the first time in awhile, both sides of the rivalry will be prepared and expect a great game on Saturday afternoon.
As far as predictions go, I have Michigan winning 24-16. The home crowd and continued great play from the defense should be able to get the Wolverines their first win in the series since 2012.
What's your prediction? Submit it in the widget below!
Game Info
Teams: # 12 Michigan vs. #7 Michigan State
Date: October 17th, 2015
Location: Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. (107,601)
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
Television: ESPN/WatchESPN App
Radio: Michigan/IMG Sports Network (for a list of affiliates, click here)
Spread: Michigan -7.5
Fun Facts
- Michigan leads the all-time series over MSU by a 68-34-5 advantage.
- Since MSU's inception in the Big Ten back in 1953, Michigan leads 35-25-2.
- These two programs have met for 70 straight seasons.
- Michigan has won 11 of the last 14 meetings at home.
- Michigan is 6-9-1 in this matchup when both teams are ranked.
- With a win Saturday, Jim Harbaugh will tie Brady Hoke for wins against AP Top 25 teams with three.
Hitting the Links: MnB's Michigan State vs. Michigan Coverage
10-16: Staff Roundtable: Michigan vs. MSU Predictions
10-16: Michigan vs. Michigan State: Matchups to Watch
10-15: Recruiting Visitors List: Michigan vs. MSU
10-15: Harbaugh vs. MSU: One Broken Arm, Two Victories
10-15: Behind Enemy Lines: Q&A with The Only Colors
10-15: S&P+ Predicts Michigan to Beat MSU Comfortably
10-15: Magic Johnson Statue Vandalized by Michigan Fans
10-15: Top Five College GameDay Guest Picker Candidates
10-15: College GameDay Sign Ideas
10-15: The Michigan Man Podcast 271: MSU Preview w/ Will Tieman
10-14: ESPN's College GameDay to Broadcast from the North End of the Diag
10-14: Getting to Know Michigan's Week Seven Opponent: The Michigan State Spartans
10-14: Michigan Can Steal MSU's Dream Season on Saturday
10-13: Big Ten Odds Week Seven
10-13:The Michigan Man Podcast 270 w/ MLive's Nick Baumgardner
10-13: Much on the Line for Michigan and Michigan State this Weekend
10-12: Satire: Jim Harbaugh Responds to Mark Dantonio's "Open Letter"
10-12: Free Press Column: Michigan Has Been Better than MSU this Season
10-12: Harbaugh Reserved About Importance of MSU Rivalry
10-11: Michigan Opens as a Touchdown Favorite over MSU
Week Seven College Football TV Schedule
ESPN
Auburn
Kentucky
CBSS
Western Kentucky
(18) UCLA
(15) Stanford
Cincinnati
BYU
ESPNU
(21) Boise State
Utah State
ESPN2
ESPN3
Western Michigan
Connecticut
ESPNN
BTN
Purdue
Wisconsin
FCS
FSN
FS1
Texas Tech
Kansas
Bucknell
FOX
West Virginia
(2) Baylor
ABC/ESPN2
(17) Iowa
(20) Northwestern
(13) Mississippi
SECN
Mississippi State
Louisville
(11) Florida State
Pittsburgh
Georgia Tech
Buffalo
Virginia Tech
Miami (FL)
CBS
(10) Alabama
(9) Texas A&M
Syracuse
Virginia
ABC
(19) Oklahoma
Kansas State
Rutgers
Indiana
(7) Michigan State
(12) Michigan
Nebraska
Minnesota
Vanderbilt
South Carolina
PAC12
Oregon State
Washington State
(8) Florida
(6) LSU
Wake Forest
North Carolina
Boston College
(5) Clemson
(3) TCU
Iowa State
NBC
USC
(14) Notre Dame
Missouri
Georgia
Penn State
(1) Ohio State
Arizona
Colorado
Arizona State
(4) Utah
Oregon
Washington