Michigan State Football: 10 bold predictions for 2017 Big Ten play

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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 29: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans throws a fortth quarter pass behind Mike McCray #9 of the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan won the game 32-23. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

5. Michigan State takes Michigan down to the wire

For the second year in a row, Michigan will be heavily favored in the in-state rivalry game. The Wolverines have one of the nation’s best defenses and they have swallowed up teams like Florida, Air Force, Cincinnati and Purdue on their way to a 4-0 record.

However, Michigan gets a bye week to prepare for the Spartans. That can either be an advantage or a disadvantage. For a young team, it’s often the latter. Just look at what happened to the young Spartans after a bye week against Notre Dame. It was like the team was shaking off rust all over again.

The Spartans will come into the game hungry as just about no one will be picking them to win. Michigan’s defense is thought to be just too strong for the Spartans, but that’s what was said last year when Brian Lewerke put up over 100 yards passing in the fourth quarter.

Michigan State may not win this game, but it’s going to come down to a late drive in which one team, let’s say Michigan, scores the go-ahead touchdown. Either way, this will be one of the better games in the rivalries history.

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