Michigan Football: 5 things to know about Michigan State

2. Michigan State hasn’t run the ball well either

It’s well-known that the team that wins the rushing battle between the Wolverines and Spartans usually wins the game.

That’s why the running battle is always so important. The Spartans won it easily last year and also the year before that as Michigan football had to abandon the run in the 2020 game.

It’s hard to see that happening this time around, but if Michigan State wins the rushing yardage battle on Saturday, it will be the perfect recipe for an upset.

The Spartans are ranked 11th in the Big Ten in rushing yards with just over 106 per game. Jalen Berger and Elijah Collins got at least 13 carries against Wisconsin and even though both averaged less than four yards per attempt, the running game just has to be respectable like that this week.

Payton Thorne has been interception prone at times and has seven in seven games this season. If Michigan can force him into third-and-long situations,  with its ability to pressure the quarterback, it should have a shot at an interception or two.