Michigan State running back Javon Ringer has averaged 147.4 rushing yards per game this season, second-best in the nation.

He has scored 14 of his team’s 24 touchdowns.

He can lay flat on his back and jump to a standing position without using his hands.

“I mean, the guy’s a freak,” Spartan quarterback Brian Hoyer said at Big Ten Media Day in July. “I saw him squat 520 pounds five times.”

But when he played for Chaminade-Julienne High School in Dayton, Ohio, the seemingly invincible Ringer was sidelined as a senior after knee surgery — and his replacement at running back for the team's first-round state playoff game was current Michigan safety Brandon Harrison.

Harrison and Ringer were the running backs in their high school's two-back system. In that playoff win, Harrison was the team's star on his 18th birthday with 219 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Now, with Ringer getting the glory as one of the nation’s best backs, Harrison is all too happy to talk about his former teammate and best friend.

“I’m proud of him, man,” Harrison said. “I mean, everybody is. We kind of knew this was going to happen eventually.”

Harrison said two of Ringer’s strongest assets in high school were his good vision and balance. That talent has helped Ringer gain 1,179 yards so far this season for the Spartans. With 263 carries, Ringer has one fewer than all of Michigan State’s opponents combined this season.

In other words, Ringer is the Michigan State offense — and the Wolverines know that all too well. Last year, even while splitting time with running back Jehuu Caulcrick, Ringer rushed for 128 yards in Michigan's 28-24 win. His only real struggle this season was in last week’s 45-7 loss to Ohio State, when he was held to a season-low 69 rushing yards on 16 carries.

“They've played really, really well, last game notwithstanding,” Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said. “I think they got a couple plays that kind of skewed it there a little bit in the Ohio State game. Whatever their best effort is, I'm sure we'll get that Saturday."

The Spartans’ best effort will likely be fueled by Michigan junior defensive end Brandon Graham’s guarantee that the Wolverines will win Saturday. Add that to former Michigan running back Mike Hart’s now-infamous “little brother” comment last year, and the Spartans have lots of motivation.

“I don’t think we are going to ever lose to State,” Graham said after Michigan's 46-17 loss to Penn State. “I’m feeling like we’re not gonna to lose to State because that’s just — we’re not going to lose to State. We are going to work hard. We’re gonna win.”

Though Dantonio answered Hart’s comment after the Spartans’ loss last year by poking fun at the running back's height, he responded differently to Graham’s comments Tuesday.

“Pretty soft bulletin board material to me, soft,” Dantonio said. “And you know, when I say that, it's not deliberate and antagonistic — that's fine. I don't see that really as big material.”

Both teams will be looking to end streaks Saturday. Michigan (2-5 overall, 1-2 Big Ten), currently on a three-game losing skid, will need to win Saturday or it will have to win out for a chance to extend its 33-year bowl streak. Michigan State (6-2, 3-1) has lost six straight against the Wolverines, but is coming to Michigan Stadium already bowl-eligible.

"You can't really compare Michigan to any other game because they are a whole different category of their own," Ringer said. "Michigan is the biggest game of the year for us, and that is what we are focused on."