It’s rivalry week in the Wolverine State this week as the Michigan football team hosts Michigan State in the battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. It’s not as bitter as when the Wolverines play Ohio State, but it’s still a great rivalry. These two teams don’t like each other and this year’s game should be close. Michigan fell well short of expectations this year, and Michigan State exceeded theirs. The result is that both teams are 4-3 heading into this game. It’s time to continue our college football odds series with a Michigan State-Michigan prediction and pick.

This season hasn’t gone as planned for Michigan as they are currently 4-3 overall and 2-2 in conference play. The Wolverines won the national championship last year, but after losing much of their coaching staff and 21-22 starters, things are different. Michigan doesn’t have a quarterback right now because they haven’t named a starter for this game, and if they lose to their in-state rival who they beat by nearly 50 points last year , the program will be at its lowest. Sherrone Moore can’t lose this match, and he knows it.

Michigan State is also 4-3 right now, but this has been a very nice 4-3 for the Spartans. Last season was a low point for this program as Michigan State lost head coach Mel Tucker to a sexual assault scandal, and they only won four games. Now Jonathan Smith has this team going in the right direction. If they can beat their biggest rival and make it to a bowl game, it would be a major win for Smith in his first year with the Spartans.

Here are the Michigan State-Michigan College Football odds, courtesy of FanDuel.

College football odds: Michigan State-Michigan odds

Michigan State: +3.5 (-105)

Financial line: +142

Michigan: -3.5 (-115)

Financial line: -172

Over: 40.5. (-110)

Minus: 40.5 (-110)

How to watch Michigan State vs. Michigan

Time: 7:30 a.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT

Television: Big Ten Network

Stream: fuboTV (free trial)

Why Michigan State Could Cover the Spread/Win

Michigan State can cover the spread and win this football game because they are playing a team without a quarterback. The QB is the most important player on the field, and the Wolverines haven’t gotten good play from any of their three QBs this year. Both of these teams have a turnover problem, so that will be something to watch, but if the Spartans take care of the ball, Michigan’s offense probably won’t do enough to get the win.

Why Michigan Could Cover the Spread/Win

Michigan can win the game and cover this spread because they are the more talented team. From top to bottom, the Wolverines have a lot more talent. However, they have not exploited this talent to its full potential so far this year. That must change this weekend. Michigan also has to take care of football. Both of these teams have had issues with turnovers, and the team that wins the turnover battle will likely win the game.

Michigan State-Michigan Final Prediction and Selection

We will work with the State of Michigan to cover the spread of this. Michigan’s offense looks worse and worse every week, and they haven’t shown anything resembling competence. The Spartans not only covered, but won the game 20-17.

Michigan State-Michigan Final Prediction and Selection: Michigan State +3.5 (-105)