It’s rivalry week on the banks of the Red Cedar and that normally means expect the unexpected. Records can be thrown out the window and anything can happen.

With all of that being said — this year won’t be like the past with MSU rolling past Michigan on Saturday.

MSU enters the game with a lot to lose in regards to playoff and postseason implications, so don’t expect the Spartans to come out soft. MSU will establish an early lead in the first quarter and never look back.

In the past, this game has been won in the trenches and this year could be the same, but the x-factor will be U-M senior quarterback Devin Gardner. If Gardner can put together a strong performance, then U-M has a fighting chance.

But I don’t think that’ll happen. He has been banged up as of late, and outside of junior wide receiver Devin Funchess, Gardner doesn’t have too many threats that should scare defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi. MSU will be in the face of Gardner all afternoon, forcing a couple interceptions and bringing him down for four sacks.

Mix that with a potent MSU passing attack and I see this one getting out of hand. Make it six of the last seven for Dantonio and MSU against the hated Wolverines. MSU-38 U-M-13 

Preston's Picks

If you look at these two teams on a piece of paper, and don't count in the fact that it is is a rivalry game that could help save a coaches job, it would be hard to predict a close score.

We do not live in that world, though. This is a rivalry game, and in my short time on this earth I have seen plenty of weird stuff happen in rivalry games.

No one could reasonably predict that Michigan will win this game. There is no way. If you have watched more than one minute of football this season you will be able to infer that Michigan is a program in trouble.

That being said, I still believe this game will be closer than many think. These are 18-22 year-old kids, remember, and the stuff we say in the media and the things the fan bases say can get in their heads. MSU 24- U-M -14