When it comes to Michigan vs. Michigan State, it feels like anything can and will happen.
Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore was right when he said the "records do not matter." They don't. Not in this game.
However, after four consecutive losses, this looks like a bad Michigan State team. Usually, Michigan football doesn't lose to bad Spartan teams. Average or good MSU squads? Yes.
But it's hard to say this an average team. It's only Power-4 win was over Boston College, a win that hasn't aged well at all.
The defense has been bad, yet Michigan State's offense hasn't been much better. The Spartans are 122nd in scoring defense (32.7 allowed) and 78th in points per game (27.1). Michigan State doesn't run the ball well. It doesn't stop the run, and while the Spartans have 13 sacks, five of those were against Nebraska, so in six other games, they have just eight sacks.
Michigan football isn't perfect. It ranks 70th in points per game (28.7). That average dips even further on the road as Michigan has scored 18.6 per game on the road. Michigan has struggled on the plus side of the field, including last week, when three possessions inside the Washington 40 came up without points.
That can't keep happening. The trash talk has been tame all week for this rivalry, but it will be an intense battle, as always, and here are five predictions for Michigan vs. Michigan State.
Michigan State will take an early lead
Maybe the Spartans will win the toss and score on their opening drive as Wisconsin did. USC did it, too, along with Oklahoma. Nebraska was in position to score but passed on a field goal and failed to convert a fourth-and-two.
For whatever reason, this Michigan defense hasn't been great on the first series. Washington advanced near midfield last week before the defense stood up.
Aidan Chiles is a talented quarterback. He struggles under pressure, but he can run. He's also got a big arm. Nick Marsh is a dude. Maybe there will be a long touchdown early or an explosive play that leads to a field goal, but Michigan State will make things uncomfortable early.
Don't be surprised at all if this is a one-score game at half.