Michigan State Football: 5 bold predictions vs. Michigan in Week 8

Michigan State football is heading into a big matchup with Michigan looking to gain control of the state as well as move up the Big Ten East standings.

Though Michigan fans may not want to admit it, this rivalry is arguably the most intense for both sides. Sure, Ohio State may be the biggest rival for Michigan, on paper, the Michigan State game is the one that always seems to bring a majority of the trash talk and bragging rights — it’s easier to focus this much energy on Michigan State when the Wolverines can’t seem to beat Ohio State.

The Spartans currently hold bragging rights, but that could change in an instant if the Wolverines are able to pull out the big win in East Lansing.

Let’s get bold ahead of this gigantic Week 8 battle.

5. Michigan State’s top rusher out-gains Karan Higdon

This may not be saying much because I see the Spartan defense holding Karan Higdon in check. Why is this? Michigan State has the best run defense in America and outside of two long runs which accounted for 126 yards from Miles Sanders, they held Penn State to just over 2.5 yards per carry.

Higdon isn’t quite the running back Sanders is, but he has plenty of talent and should be considered one of the conference’s top-three or four backs. He’s as consistent as they come.

On the season, Higdon has five 100-yard games, consecutively. Despite missing the SMU game, he has 687 yards and six touchdowns to his name, but he will have his first sub-100 yard game in Week 8.

Michigan State, on the other hand, hasn’t been able to run the ball at all. The Spartans are averaging just over 120 yards per game on the ground. However, La’Darius Jefferson has been gaining confidence and he looks to be the No. 1 back with LJ Scott out.

If Scott doesn’t return, Jefferson will be the guy on Saturday and he or Connor Heyward — or even Brian Lewerke — will out-rush Higdon.