Dan Feldman:

Michigan will run multiple trick plays. The Wolverine offense has been stagnant for long stretches, and Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez will try to jumpstart it. A rivalry game is the perfect time to unleash the bag of tricks.

Michigan State safety Otis Wiley will have an interception. The Flint native leads the Big Ten in picks. Redshirt freshman quarterback Steven Threet's bruised elbow will make him a little erratic, and redshirt sophomore backup Nick Sheridan hasn't shown he can handle game speed. Wiley will take advantage.

Michigan will win 23-20. If this game was in East Lansing, the Spartans would win. But as vulnerable as Michigan is, junior defensive end Brandon Graham's guarantee will be enough to give the Wolverines focus in a sloppy, hard-fought game.

Courtney Ratkowiak:

Darryl Stonum will have his best game of the season. With wide receiver Greg Mathews injured and James Rogers likely starting in Mathews' absence, Stonum will probably get more playing time, too. After being suspended for the game against Illinois for what Rodriguez called a "violation of team rules," Stonum will be looking to redeem himself. After being the only freshman to enroll early last winter, he hasn't been an impact player this season. Now's his chance.

John Thompson will have an interception. Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer is notorious for cracking in high-pressure situations. Thompson has already had an interception in a high-pressure game — the 19-point comeback against Wisconsin. Thompson was one of the team's most pumped-up players in the Wolverines' strong first half against Penn State, and he will go for the kill Saturday when the game is close.

Michigan will win 28-21. The Wolverines are due for a victory and the Spartans are due for their usual second-half-of-the-season collapse. Both will happen Saturday.

Ian Robinson:

Redshirt freshman quarterback Steven Threet will outplay Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer. In each of the last few games, Threet has shown signs of progress. Hoyer is a senior and in his second year as the starting quarterback. But after Hoyer's performance against Ohio State and Threet's against Penn State, Michigan's quarterback is the one on the rise.

Junior defensive end Brandon Graham will do his part to live up to his guarantee. On multiple occasions against Penn State, Graham was inches away from getting to Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark. Clark was just too mobile, but Hoyer doesn't have the same mobility as Clark. Graham will get consistent pressure on Michigan State's quarterback, and the question will be whether the rest of the team backs up Graham's guarantee.

Michigan State will win 20-16. Michigan's run defense has proven vulnerable in the last few weeks, and it hasn't gone against a back like Michigan State's Javon Ringer yet. The Spartans will avoid their traditional October collapse as Ringer leads them to victory.

Nate Sandals

Michigan will score two touchdowns in the third quarter. The Wolverines have just seven points all season coming out of halftime. It's hard to diagnose why the offense has struggled so mightily after the break, but Michigan has simply been killed in the third quarter. But with Threet healthy, Michigan will be in rhythm all afternoon.

Michigan will know how Wisconsin felt after losing its late-game lead. The fourth quarter was a strong point for the Wolverines early in the season. But the Wolverines gave up 21 in the fourth to Illinois and 20 in the final 15 minutes at Penn State last week. Michigan will head into the final quarter with the lead but won't be able to hold it.

Michigan State will win 21-16. Michigan will take the lead into the fourth quarter but has struggled late in games recently, especially on defense. Ringer's bruising running will finally break through in the closing minutes.