With both teams at 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten, there's a lot on the line, mostly bragging rights for the next 11-12 months. 

"It's just a big game and it's a big deal for both programs," MSU senior linebacker Cal Haladay said Wednesday. "I mean, we circle it on our schedule every year. For this matchup, we don't need to be heroes. We just need to do our jobs and stay poised."

While the Wolverines and Spartans share the same record, they're clearly trending in opposite directions. MSU is coming off an impressive 32-20 win over Iowa, whereas Michigan enters Saturday after a 21-7 loss on the road to Illinois.

The Spartans also have their quarterback set in stone, while the Wolverines have scrambled to find their guy through seven games to no success. After last year's showing, when Michigan won 49-0 en route to an undefeated national championship season and MSU finished the season 4-8, Saturday presents a new life for the MSU program led by first-year head coach Jonathan Smith. 

A struggling Michigan offense 

Over the past few years, Michigan's offense has built its identity on between-the-tackles physicality and running the ball. Whether it be at the line of scrimmage, through the passing game or on the ground, the Wolverines haven't had trouble moving the ball recently until this fall.

Seven games into the season, Michigan ranks 118th in total offense and 112th in scoring. Last year, the Wolverines ranked 69th in total offense and 14th in scoring offense. They lost the core of the 15-0 team from last winter, but were not expected to experience such a crisis under center.

Wolverine quarterbacks have gone a combined 101-for-165 for 898 yards with six touchdowns and nine interceptions as Michigan's passing offense is ranked 129th nationally. However, its rushing attack has picked up some slack.

Michigan has a two-headed backfield with senior halfbacks Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards leading the charge. To the surprise of many, Mullings has carried the load with 110 carries and 676 yards and seven touchdowns. Edwards, who entered the season Michigan's starter, has produced 80 rushes for 391 yards and three touchdowns. 

"Michigan loves running the ball physically downhill," MSU senior linebacker Jordan Turner said Wednesday. "They have a lot of scheme runs, so we just have to be ready to execute every time we go out there and win each play as it comes on."

Michigan's offense runs very similarly to Iowa's offense: between the tackles rushing with the occasional outside zone, all through their solid offensive line. But what happens between the tackles is much different between the two, as Michigan's rushing attack is more vertical with constant line pulling and trapping.

Against the Hawkeyes' powerhouse running back Kaleb Johnson, MSU did its job. The No. 1 Big Ten rusher Johnson ran for 98 yards — 75 on one play — and didn't have the kind of impact Iowa needed for a win. In its drubbing to Michigan last year, MSU’s defense held Michigan's premier running game to 3.5 yards per carry. 

Michigan junior tight end Colston Loveland is a playmaker despite not having a quarterback to consistently get him the ball. The fast, big-bodied tight end has found open holes in coverage and caught a variety of 50-50 balls. He's Michigan's leading receiver this season with 36 catches for 344 yards and two touchdowns. 

Last year against the Spartans, Loveland caught 4 passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns. 

"He's a really good player. You have to know where he's at, at all times," MSU defensive coordinator Joe Rossi said Wednesday. "They move him around, they put him in a bunch of different spots and I think they do a really good job of featuring them and getting the ball."

A gritty Wolverine defense 

The story of the game will likely be how Michigan State’s offensive line controls Michigan’s star-studded defensive line. 

Up front, the Wolverines have arguably one of the best defensive lines in all of college football. MSU's offensive line has struggled through seven games but is coming off its best showing yet against Iowa, when the Spartan front five moved bodies all night and created gaping holes.

If MSU's offense can move the ball and finish like it did last week, the Wolverines will have their hands full trying to keep up on the scoreboard.

The Michigan front four is an experienced group possessing NFL talent. Returners from last year junior defensive linemen Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham have been a nightmare for opposing lines all season. The two projected first-round NFL draft picks have combined for 43 tackles and 5.5 sacks. 

On the edge, seniors Josaiah Stewart and T.J. Guy provide speed and elusiveness, mixing well with Grant and Graham's strength in the middle. Stewart's 5.5 sacks leads the Wolverines. Michigan is ranked No. 9 in the nation in rushing defense and No. 34 in the nation in total defense. 

"(Grant) and (Graham) are really good players," MSU sixth year offensive lineman Tanner Miller said Tuesday. "They're going to come ready to play, so I think it's going to be a four-quarter fight."

While Michigan's front has been strong all season, it hasn't been impenetrable. Against Illinois, it gave up 187 yards rushing.

An inconsistent, injury-prone prone secondary has been Michigan's weakness, ranking 56th in defensive passing efficiency. MSU may catch a break Saturday with the absence of Michigan star cornerback Will Johnson, who has dealt with nagging injuries. Last week, he suffered a lower-body injury against Illinois and did not return. His status for Saturday is still unknown.

"Michigan's super talented and it starts with their front seven," MSU offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren said Tuesday. "With their schemes, they give a lot of different looks for the quarterback with some of the simulated pressures and with what they're doing coverage-wise. It's a big time challenge."

The rivalry matchup will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 p.m at The Big House. The game will be aired by Big Ten Network.