#12 Michigan vs. #7 Michigan State Preview & Prediction

A classic rivalry game has been turned up a few notches this week as the #7 Michigan State Spartans take on the #12 Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor. The winner of this game will gain the inside track towards a New Year's Six bowl game, and perhaps MUCH more. Who's got the edge? Here's our 

Line: Michigan by 8.5

What's The Stakes?

Whoever wins this game becomes the primary challenger to Ohio State for the Big Ten East title. The loser shuffles back into the pack of fringe New Year's Six contenders.

Key To The Game:

Here's you Big Ten Game of the Day and one of three marquee Top-12 games on the college football slate this week (#10 Alabama vs. #9 Texas A&M, #8 Florida vs. #6 LSU). Michigan State QB and Heisman candidate Connor Cook has thrown for 12 touchdowns against just two interceptions this year, but he has an extremely tough task ahead against a Jabrill Peppers/Jourdan Lewis-led secondary that's key three straight shutouts for the Wolverines. Whatever the outcome, this promises to be one of the most memorable rivalry games of the entire 2015 schedule.

What They're Saying About Michigan State:

MSU Determined To Keep Paul Bunyan Trophy

Connor Cook Thriving In The Spotlight

What They're Saying About Michigan:

How Jim Harbaugh Made Michigan So Good So Fast

Rudock Competes The Old-School Way

Prediction: Michigan 27, Michigan State 21

Michigan won't pitch a shutout against a potent Michigan State offense, but they will engineers some key fourth-quarter stops and generate enough diversity in the running game to clip the Spartans for a massive win.