Five Bold Predictions for Michigan vs. Michigan State

Michigan and Michigan State will renew their rivalry Saturday night at Michigan Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The Wolverines enter as 13.5-point favorites, and on paper, this looks like a matchup they should control.

Michigan State has struggled on both sides of the football, ranking No. 122 nationally in rushing offense, No. 117 in passing offense, No. 86 in rushing defense and No. 50 in passing defense.

Michigan, meanwhile, is coming off a 28-21 road victory over Rutgers but still hasn't consistently found its offensive rhythm. Here are five bold predictions for Saturday's rivalry matchup.

Carr continues to gain confidence after leading Michigan past Penn State and Rutgers, and Saturday could be his biggest performance yet. Michigan State's defense has struggled against the run, which should create opportunities for Carr to make plays with both his arm and legs. The freshman will account for four touchdowns, any combination counts, which would certainly give Michigan fans plenty of reasons to be excited about the future. As an in-state kid and the grandson of legendary Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr, this is the perfect stage for Tommy to shine.

Kyle Whittingham has repeatedly emphasized the importance of establishing the running game, but the high-water mark for U-M this year is just 211 yards against Penn State. Michigan State presents an excellent opportunity to push that number up. The Spartans rank No. 86 nationally against the run, while Michigan's rushing offense sits at No. 85. Those numbers suggest something has to give. With Jordan Marshall, Savion Hiter and Carr all contributing, Michigan will dominate the line of scrimmage and surpass 225 rushing yards.

Jay Hill's defense has been the most reliable part of Michigan's team this season, and Saturday's matchup could produce its most dominant performance yet. Michigan State ranks near the bottom of the country in both rushing and passing offense, giving the Wolverines a significant advantage. With U-M's deep defensive line room creating pressure up front and Michigan's secondary continuing its strong play, the Spartans will struggle to sustain drives. Michigan will hold its rival below 200 total yards and keep the offense out of the end zone. The Spartans have only had less than 200 total yards twice this season, but Michigan is the best defense they've seen so far.

Michigan's passing offense ranks No. 116 nationally, averaging just 170.1 yards per game, but Marsh has the talent to change that in a hurry. The sophomore receiver has developed chemistry with Carr, and Michigan State's defense could provide opportunities for explosive plays. Look for Carr to target Marsh early and often, particularly on play-action passes. Marsh will finish with more than 106 receiving yards and at least one touchdown, delivering his biggest performance of the season.

Rivalry games can be unpredictable, but Michigan has significant advantages across the board in this matchup. The Wolverines are favored by 13.5 points, yet the gap between these programs could be much larger if Michigan finally puts together four complete quarters. With Carr providing a spark offensively, the running game finding success and Hill's defense overwhelming the Spartans, Michigan will turn Saturday night's showdown into a blowout. The Wolverines will build a comfortable halftime lead and never look back.

Michigan hasn't consistently played like a dominant team this season, but Saturday presents an opportunity to change that narrative. The Wolverines will deliver their most complete performance of the year, overwhelm their in-state rival and give the Michigan Stadium crowd plenty to celebrate under the lights.