Neither Michigan nor Michigan State was supposed to be very good this season, but instead Saturday’s matchup between the No. 6 Wolverine and No. 8 Spartans from East Lansing is the game of the week in college football and the game of the year thus far in the Big Ten.

Both these schools finished with losing records last year and neither was in the AP Top 25 to open this season, so this Top 10 matchup is a shock. This is only the sixth Big Ten conference game in the poll era where both teams are 7-0.

Saturday’s game marks the 19th time Michigan State and Michigan have both been ranked in the AP Top 25 during their annual meeting, and the first since 2018. MSU is 10-7-1 against Michigan when both teams are ranked, including wins in four of the last five matchups.

In addition to facing each other on Saturday, Michigan and Michigan State still have to play Ohio State. Those matchups will take place in the final two weeks of the regular season. One of those teams figures to be the Big Ten East champion and represent the division in the conference championship.

Before everything else, Nitrobetting arms you with everything you need to kick things off on a positive note. Below, we provide event details, team and player statistics, and the latest NCAAF odds. More than that, we go the extra mile and share timely betting trends and predictions that help you secure the best picks. Check out for more sports betting odds and lines, exclusively at our online BTC sportsbook.

Michigan vs. Michigan State Game Information

• When: Saturday, October 16, 2021, 7:30 PM ET
• Where: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan
• TV: FOX
• Radio: 950 AM (Michigan) / 760 WJR AM (Michigan State)
• Live Stream: FOX Sports Live
• College Football Odds: Michigan Wolverines (-4) / Michigan State Spartans (+4)

READ MORE: FSU vs. Clemson 2021 College Football Week 9 Odds, Preview & Pick

Why Bet on the Michigan Wolverines?

Michigan has never been to the Big Ten championship game under Jim Harbaugh and has never been to the playoff. The season’s inaugural playoff rankings will be released on Tuesday (Nov. 2).

“It’s an elimination mindset, playoff mindset at this point,” Harbaugh said. “Win this game, it will help your chances.”

It’s the 114th meeting between Michigan State and Michigan. The Wolverines lead the all-time series, 71-37-5, including a 21-14-2 record in East Lansing and a 19-14-1 mark in Spartan Stadium. Since 1953, the winner of the Michigan State-Michigan game has been presented the Paul Bunyan Trophy.

Michigan was a 24½-point favorite last year in Ann Arbor. MSU won that game, 27-24, for coach Mel Tucker’s first win. Now, they’ll play in East Lansing for the first time since 2018.

The Wolverines’ opponents have ranked No. 74, No. 95, No. 73, No. 119, No. 96, No. 21 and No. 103 in yards per play this season. The outlier is Nebraska, which put 431 yards on Michigan’s defense two games ago. This Spartan offense ranks No. 8 nationally in yards per play and has explosive potential. The Spartans have yet to beat a team with a winning record, though.

U-M ranks top-15 in the country in both scoring offense and scoring defense this season, listing 15th in offense (37.7 points per game) and second in defense (14.3 points allowed per game). The offense has produced 34 plays of 20-plus yards, with an even balance of 17 passing, 17 rushing. The Wolverines have scored eight touchdowns of 50-plus yards this season, and have scored in 23 of a possible 28 total quarters of play.

Why Bet on the Michigan State Spartans?

The Spartans are third in the Big Ten and 29th in the FBS in scoring offense (34.3 ppg) and third in the conference and 26th overall in total offense (451.7 ypg). MSU’s resurgent rushing attack ranks sixth in the Big Ten and 32nd in the FBS, averaging 200.4 yards per game behind star transfer Kenneth Walker III.

Last season, MSU averaged 91.4 ypg on the ground. MSU is tied for first in the FBS in 80-plus yard plays (2), 70-plus yard plays (4) and 60-plus yard plays (7). MSU is also tied for fifth with nine plays of 50-plus yards.

One big advantage for Michigan State: It is coming off a bye week, while Michigan had to play in Week 8. However, the Wolverines have more talent.

Michigan vs. Michigan State Betting Trends

• Wolverines are 2-11 ATS in their last 13 meetings.
• Wolverines are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 conference games.
• The total went over in 5 of Michigan’s last 5 games on the road.
• Spartans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in October.
• Spartans are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
• The total went under in 4 of Michigan State’s last 5 games.

Michigan vs. Michigan State Expert Betting Predictions

Pick: Michigan 27, Michigan State 24

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