Michigan’s football team enters Saturday riding a three-game win streak in the rivalry against Michigan State.
Oddsmakers are expecting the 25th-ranked Wolverines to stretch it to four. Sherrone Moore’s team is a two-touchdown favorite heading into Saturday’s night’s showdown at Spartan Stadium.
But what do MLive’s Michigan and MSU writers believe will happen? The Wolverines (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) are coming off one of their most crisp performances of the season, beating Washington 24-7 at home last week. Meanwhile, the Spartans (3-4, 0-4) are spiraling after a 3-0 start, especially defensively.
Here are MLive’s score predictions:
**Aaron McMann**
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Michigan has the edge on the ground and on defense, giving the Wolverines a clear advantage Saturday in East Lansing. Bryce Underwood and Michigan should have no issue moving the football; limiting turnovers and silly mistakes will be critical.
Defensively, Aidan Chiles and Nick Marsh will be key to identify. Wink Martindale’s unit had no issue with Washington QB Demond Williams Jr.; I suspect Chiles will be in a similar boat. **Prediction: Michigan 34, Michigan State 17**
**Matt Wenzel**
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Michigan State rides a surge of rivalry focus and preparation the program didn’t have a year ago and gets a jolt from the home crowd. The Spartans do enough to make the Wolverines sweat behind standout performances by Chiles and Marsh. There’s some of the usual wild rivalry antics before a late score by the Wolverines seals their first four-game winning streak in the series since taking six straight from 2002-07. **Prediction: Michigan 34, Michigan State 24**
**Ryan Zuke**
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The Wolverines only won last year’s matchup in Ann Arbor by a touchdown and needed to overcome a slow start to do it. With MSU being at home and Michigan having a tendency to come out of the gates sluggish in 2025, I can see the Spartans throwing the first punch (on the scoreboard).
But MSU has too many deficiencies defensively, and I think Michigan’s offense gets in a groove in the second half. The Wolverines force a couple of turnovers, and there is no dramatic fourth-quarter finish. The Wolverines’ playoff hopes stay alive for another week. **Prediction: Michigan 34, Michigan State 17**
**Jacob Richman**
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This is my first Michigan-Michigan State game, but it isn’t for the Spartans’ second-year roster under Jonathan Smith. The Wolverines have clearly looked the better team this season, but rivalry games can get the best out of any team and I think MSU is getting up for this one.
I still don’t believe that’s enough for a home victory, but I think this game will come down to the fourth quarter with the Michigan ground game — led by either Justice Haynes or Jordan Marshall — wearing out the Spartans’ front seven enough to put the game away late in East Lansing. **Prediction: Michigan 28, Michigan State 24**
**Andrew Kahn**
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Michigan recaptured its swagger last week and should not have any problem finding the juice for a night game against a rival. Sherrone Moore seemed optimistic that Justice Haynes would return this week. While Jordan Marshall has proven to be a legitimate Big Ten running back, Haynes is more capable of breaking the long run.
We all saw what Michigan’s defense did against Washington. The Wolverines look hungry to force another turnover or two against Michigan State. The Spartans are desperate, and I’m predicting that mentality keeps them closer than the oddsmakers think. Michigan allows some big passing plays but still gets its fourth straight win in the series. **Prediction: Michigan 27, Michigan State 17**
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