For the first time since the spread was introduced, Michigan State is favored to beat Michigan.

For the first time since 1968, the Spartans are ranked and the Wolverines are unranked.

This showdown has a different feel. But it's still one of the bitterest rivalries in all of college football.

Michigan State comes in riding high, in the top 15 and averaging 49 points per game. Michigan, on the other hand, enters having only beaten two Mid-American Conference teams. The roles have reversed, but still expect a close game.

Michigan passing offense vs. Michigan State passing defense:

It's obvious that sophomore quarterback Chad Henne is struggling right now. Though his numbers are pretty good - save his completion percentage of 53 - he is not playing like the stud he was last year. He has looked rattled at times and has seemed unsure of his play. But everyone knows what he is capable of, especially against the Spartans' defense - which he exploited for 273 yards and four touchdowns in last season's overtime comeback. The Wyomissing, Penn., native has to be more accurate and not lock in on receivers for the Wolverines to click on all cylinders.

One of Henne's targets tomorrow should be freshman Mario Manningham, who had his first career 100-yard game against Wisconsin. Manningham has shown that he could be the deep threat to complement senior Jason Avant's intermediate routes. Avant comes into the game leading the Big Ten in receptions and receiving yards and could have a big day against the Michigan State secondary. The Spartans defense has given up an average of 293 yards per game, while yielding 11 touchdowns so far this season. This could be the game in which Henne and the passing attack get back on track.

Edge: Michigan

Michigan rushing offense vs. Michigan State rushing defense:

The Wolverines have played musical chairs in their backfield early this season. Sophomore Mike Hart led the team in rushing in the first game but has been out with a leg injury since the Notre Dame game. Sophomore Max Martin and freshman Kevin Grady have combined for 366 yards and two touchdowns in the last three games. But the two have also had problems holding onto the football. Martin lost the ball in the fourth quarter of last Saturday's game against the Badgers, and the turnover set up a Brian Calhoun touchdown. The Michigan offensive line has worked with a very patchwork group. Starting right tackle Mike Kolodziej has missed the past three games with an undisclosed injury, and right guard Matt Lentz has also missed parts of two games.

Michigan State has given up just 91 yards per game on the ground thus far. But the Spartans have played just one quality rushing team, Notre Dame. Irish running back Darius Walker gained 116 yards, despite being bottled up in the first half. If Mike Hart is close to 100 percent, Michigan could keep the potent Spartan offense off the field by controlling the line of scrimmage.

Edge: Michigan

Michigan State passing offense vs. Michigan passing defense

Drew Stanton has completed 13 touchdowns while managing to throw just two picks. In the Spartans' first four games, the junior has thrown for nearly 1,200 yards while completing almost three-fourths of his attempts. Michigan State returns eight starters from a unit that torched the Wolverines for 535 yards and 37 points in last year's losing effort in Ann Arbor. Michigan's secondary, which has lost three starters since last season, has actually been one of the bright spots for the Wolverines - and cornerback Leon Hall has shown flashes of greatness. But 6-foot-6 wide receiver Matt Trannon is a tough cover for anyone, and he isn't even the Spartans' leading receiver; that honor goes to Kyle Brown, who has 17 catches for 262 yards and two touchdowns.

Edge: Michigan State

Michigan State rushing offense vs. Michigan rushing defense

At the beginning of the year, running back was a big question mark for the Spartans. But Michigan State has turned it around and is No. 7 nationally in rushing yards with 272.2 yards per game. The real question for Michigan will not be how many yards the Spartans' running backs pick up, but rather how many yards Stanton can muster. Last year, he rushed for 84 yards before leaving the game in the second quarter. Stanton said that dozens of people have approached him saying that if he had been healthy, Michigan State would have won that game. And they're probably right. Michigan's front seven worked all offseason on rush lanes and containment, and this week will be the first real test.

Edge: Michigan State

Michigan State rushing offense vs. Michigan rushing defense