Michigan Football: 5 predictions for Wolverines against Michigan State

The showdown with Michigan State looms for the Michigan football team and here are five predictions for the Wolverines and Spartans.

There are few rivalries like the one between Michigan football and Michigan State. There’s a lot of hate, not a lot of respect and seemingly the goal of both teams is to make it not a rivalry at all.

That is the teams want to win so much that they can say the other school isn’t really a rival. Michigan football sort of used to kind of hint at that, until Mark Dantonio showed up and changed the culture.

The Spartans turned into a football team that reminded you of the actual Spartans. They were tough, mean and nasty. They didn’t score tons of points but they found ways to win and they didn’t fear anybody.

Just as recently as 2017 or simply before Michigan’s wins last season, Michigan State had the advantage, but now the tide is turning.

Things changed when Jim Harbaugh became the head coach. The Wolverines are just 2-2 against the Spartans, but over the past couple of seasons, Michigan has remained one of the best programs in the Big Ten, while Michigan State has struggled.

The Spartans won three games in 2016, before bouncing back in 2017. But last year saw them win seven games and now at 4-5, a bowl game isn’t guaranteed.

All of that is also why Michigan football fans should expect a battle. This is the Super Bowl for Michigan State — one last chance to save the season.

And with that in mind, here are five predictions.