Michigan State Football: Final score predictions vs. Michigan in Week 9

After beating Michigan in his first season as Michigan State football coach last year, Mel Tucker is aiming to shock the nation and win two in a row in a top-10 battle in East Lansing.

Both teams have been pretty open about their hatred toward each other and this year’s battle seems to have a little more on the line than other seasons.

Michigan and Michigan State are both 7-0 (for the first time ever they’re meeting with a 7-0 record or better) and ranked in the top 10. This is the first time since 1964 that both teams are ranked in the top 10 for the matchup.

A Big Ten title, College Football Playoff berth, and Paul Bunyan Trophy are all on the line in this one.

What do our writers think?

Connor Muldowney: I’ve seen some predictions that indicate a two-score win for one side or another, but I just don’t see that happening. This is going to be as close as they come and neither side will feel good about where they sit for about 59 minutes and 59 seconds. Michigan State leans on Kenneth Walker III a little more in the passing game and I think Connor Heyward, too, has a big day for the Spartans as Payton Thorne leads the way. Michigan State find a way to win and gets a big stop on a potential game-winning drive from Michigan late.

Final Score: Michigan 20, Michigan State 24

Jack Williams: Every logical bone in my body is telling me that this will be an extremely low-scoring game. If you follow the facts, these teams’ strengths and weaknesses play well to each other defensively, so it would make sense to have a low-scoring game. That said, I’m going to predict a high-scoring Michigan State win based on absolutely nothing but a hunch.

Final Score: Michigan 38, Michigan State 44

Carter Landis: Michigan is by far the toughest test the Spartans will face, but fortunately, the Wolverines’ blemishes play into MSU’s strengths. Michigan doesn’t throw the ball well, and it won’t go well for them if they have to put the ball in McNamara’s hands. It’s close until a late Kenneth Walker touchdown puts the game away.

Final Score: Michigan 17, Michigan State 27

Conner Linsner: Arch rival Michigan comes to town with a solid run game and a good defense. Michigan State and Michigan are quite similar teams this season. The one glaring difference I see is Payton Thorne at quarterback. Cade McNamara has struggled with the deep ball this year and handoffs will only get Michigan so far. In big games more often than not I’m taking the better quarterback, especially when one is much better than the other. That’s why I see Mel Tucker jumping to, 2-0 vs Michigan in his career after Saturday’s duel.

Final Score: Michigan 21, Michigan State 27

Stephen Robb: This is a tough game to predict. It comes down to who can control the line of scrimmage. I have not been impressed by MSU’s offense against Indiana and Nebraska. Nor am I equally unimpressed with Michigan’s passing game. MSU’s advantage was having a bye week to figure things out. I can foresee a path for a Michigan victory. However, because of the bye week and the game is at Spartan Stadium I give the edge to MSU.

Final Score: Michigan 20, Michigan State 24