Oct. 17--TV: 2:30 p.m. Saturday; ESPN.
Line: Michigan by 7.
Records: Michigan State 6-0, 2-0 Big Ten; Michigan 5-1, 2-0.
Last meeting: Michigan State won 35-11 on Oct. 25, 2014, in East Lansing, Mich.
On the offensive: Michigan State has the better QB in Connor Cook (versus Jake Rudock), but will it matter if Spartans linemen Jack Allen (ankle) and Jack Conklin (knee) can't play? Michigan leads the Big Ten in time of possession, averaging 34 minutes, 48 seconds.
Getting defensive: Michigan is allowing just 3.1 yards per play, second nationally, and a national-low 6.3 points per game. If CB Darian Hicks (concussion) is not cleared, Michigan State might start true freshman Josh Butler.
The number: 12. Consecutive scoreless quarters for the Michigan defense, which last allowed a point in the fourth quarter against UNLV.
The talk: Michigan is favored and at home, but Michigan State has more pressure. For its bevy of fifth-year seniors, it's Big Ten title or bust. The Wolverines, like the Cubs, are ahead of schedule.
Teddy Greenstein's pick: The Spartans have too much pride to get blown out. Michigan 24, Michigan State 20.
