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Michigan State Football: Final score predictions vs. Michigan in Week 6

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 29: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a first down in the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan defeated Michigan State 32-23. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 29: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a first down in the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan defeated Michigan State 32-23. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football will hit the road to Ann Arbor on Saturday to face the Michigan Wolverines. What will the final score be?

The time has come. Michigan State football is gearing up for its biggest test of the 2017 season as the young Spartans will travel to Ann Arbor on Saturday evening to take on the Michigan Wolverines.

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 reasons Spartans can beat Michigan

Coming off three wins in their first four games, Michigan State has exuded more confidence this season than it had all of last year. The momentum is working in Michigan State’s favor, but Michigan is a completely different animal.

With the Wolverines on the clock, what does the Spartan Avenue staff believe the final score will be?

Connor Muldowney: This one is going to come down to who can protect the ball. Michigan State has been turnover prone in recent games, but protected the ball well against Iowa. Michigan has just one less turnover and has a new starting quarterback, but the Wolverines’ defense is the best in college football thus far. The Wolverines are going to blitz Brian Lewerke and make him uncomfortable all day long and the Spartans will rely heavily on the run. Michigan wins a hard-fought battle.

Final Score: Michigan State 17, Michigan 24

Stephen Robb: It’s Michigan week finally. The Spartans and their fans have had a salty taste in their mouths after the Wolverines came snatched the Paul Bunyan trophy away last year. This game will start much like last year’s, MSU will look to establish the running game early.

Also, Felton Davis III is a match nightmare for Michigan. He stands 6-foot-4 compared to their 5-foot-10 defensive backs. This will be a close game that will go back and forth. However, Michigan will get the ‘W’. The game will prove that Michigan State can hang with the best but it will be a consolation prize for the Spartans.

Final Score: Michigan State 21, Michigan 24

Adam Zdroik: Both teams have good defenses, but only one has a confident quarterback that can beat defenses with his legs. Michigan’s defense may be better, but its offense will have some issues against the best defense it’s seen. This will be low scoring with the difference being Brian Lewerke. Advantage Spartans

Final Score: Michigan State 17, Michigan 14

Michael Briggs: This is exactly how Michigan State wants it to be. The Spartans’ 3-1 start to the season has momentarily eased the minds and raised the spirits of everyone emotionally invested in the program. That one loss, however, has allowed everyone on the outside looking in to continue to doubt MSU. Like I said, this is exactly how Michigan State wants it to be.

Don’t let Michigan’s No. 7 ranking fool you; there isn’t a wide margin of difference in talent or experience between Michigan and MSU. The Wolverines boast the nation’s top-ranked run defense, but the Spartans own the 16th-best. The Spartans’ offense has been superior (when it holds onto the football).

Next: MSU Football: 5 bold predictions vs. Michigan

This game will not be a blowout, or even a double-digit win for either team. Michigan State has a chip on its shoulder again, but will that be enough? The Spartans will keep this one close, but whether or not this team has enough magic to win at night at the Big House remains to be seen. Crazier things have happened in this rivalry. I can see this one going either way, but it’s too soon to tell if this team has the fortitude to bring Paul Bunyan back home.

Final Score: Michigan State 13, Michigan 16

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