Michigan State will try to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the season when it goes on the road to face No. 4 Michigan on Saturday night. The Spartans snapped their four-game losing streak with a 34-28 win over Wisconsin in double overtime two weeks ago before having the week off last week. Michigan remained perfect on the season with its 41-17 win over then-No. 10 Penn State in its last game.
Michigan State got off to a fast start this season by taking care of business against Western Michigan and Akron, but the wheels quickly fell off the wagon after that. The Spartans lost their next four games by double digits, including a 49-20 loss to then-No. 3 Ohio State earlier this month. They were able to get back on track in their most recent contest, using two overtime periods to get past Wisconsin at home. Michigan State still needs three wins to become bowl eligible this season, and it might not happen with three of its final five games coming against teams that are currently ranked in the top 25.
On the clock ?? pic.twitter.com/6a0fQvnXIY
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) October 23, 2022
Head coach Mel Tucker might have the hottest seat of any coach in the country right now, so a win on Saturday night would go a long way as far as his job stability is concerned. Michigan State has picked up wins in each of the last two meetings between these rivals, including a 37-33 win last year. Tucker’s team picked up a 27-24 win in its last visit to Ann Arbor. The Spartans have struggled without star running back Kenneth Walker III this year, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry. Quarterback Payton Thorne has thrown for 11 touchdowns but has also been intercepted seven times. His most efficient outing of the season came against Wisconsin, as he completed 75% of his passes and threw two touchdowns without getting picked off.