No. 11 Michigan Wolverines at No. 23 Michigan State Spartans
Saturday, 10/15/11, 12:00 PM EST, TV:  ESPN
Opening Point Spread:  Michigan State -3
Current Betting Line:  Michigan State -2
Opening Total:  47
Current Total:  49
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Michigan travels to East Lansing and puts its 6-0 record on the line Saturday, as the program has opened up with that mark for the 27th time in school history.  “Obviously the guys know what the history has been,” commented Wolverines coach Brady Hoke.  “The rivalry is a tremendous rivalry because of the passion for both schools that people have.”  Hoke became just the third coach in program history to win his first six games, while the team is ranked in the Top 10 for the first time since 2007.  Michigan is 5-1 ATS on the season, but 3-15 ATS versus conference foes the last two-plus seasons.

The Wolverines are led offensively by dual-threat quarterback Denard Robinson, as the team finished with back-to-back games over 500-plus yards or more for the first time since the 1991 campaign.  He is a bonafide Heisman Trophy candidate and ranks 10th in school history in passing yards and 11th in rushing.  Defense has been the biggest difference for the squad this year, allowing just 12.5 points a game, which is far less than 35.2 a contest a year ago.

Michigan State will be meeting Michigan for the 104th time, coming in on a three-game win streak in the series.  The last six meetings in East Lansing have been decided by a total of 25 points.  The key stat in the contest is always rushing yards, as the team that has won the ground battle has proven victorious in 38 of the last 41 meetings.  During its current three-game win streak over Michigan, the Spartans have outrushed the Wolverines by a 613-274 margin.  Michigan State is 8-8 ATS versus Big Ten opponents.

The Spartans have a quarterback of their own, as Kirk Cousins will look to become the first in program history to beat the Wolverines three times.  Experts are likely to focus in on the team’s top-ranked defense, allowing just 173.4 yards per game, including 64 yards a contest on the ground.  Playing the Spartans in the first half might not be a bad idea, outscoring opponents by a large 89-27 margin.

Bettors will likely back the Spartans due to the favorite being 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings, while the Wolverines are 1-5 ATS in their last six road games.

Don’t miss out on a winning season and let the college football handicappers at Maddux Sports line your pockets with cash.  Long term packages are available now!