Last Saturday, Michigan State traveled to Ann Arbor to take on rival Michigan where they would  lose 44-10. The teams entered the matchup on much different paths. Michigan at 7-2 had been playing their best football of the season, winning their two previous games by a combined score of 62 points including a 45-14 win over #8 Notre Dame. Michigan State, on the other hand came into the game at 4-5 and on a 4-game losing streak which included a loss to Illinois last week when they blew a 25 point lead. Michigan State was also without their leader on defense, linebacker Joe Bachie who was suspended for PEDs.

Early in the  game Michigan State played with Michigan and even led 7-0 at the end  of the first quarter, but after losing their top defensive back Josiah Scott early  in the game, Michigan was able to open up the passing game. Shea Patterson had a career day on Saturday, passing for  a career high 384-yards and 4 touchdowns which broke Tom Brady’s school record for most passing yards against Michigan State in a single game.  Michigan’s leading receiver was sophomore  Ronnie Bell had a career day as well catching 9-passes for 150-yards. While Michigan State played well and was only down ten points at the end of the first half. The second  half was a much different story  where Michigan dominated both sides of the ball outscoring the Spartans 27-3.

This win for Michigan feels like  a change in the tide of this rivalry that has been dominated by MSU since Mark  Dantonio took over. Michigan has won the last two matchups in this rivalry which hasn’t happened since 2006-2007. Also, it seems that the two teams are headed on opposite paths as Michigan continues to improve under Harbaugh while Dantonio’s days at MSU seem numbered.

This season has been very disappointing for Michigan State who has now lost five games in a row, and they will now have to win their final two games against Rutgers and Maryland to become bowl  eligible. While there was speculation that head coach Mark Dantonio was going to retire at the end of the season, he confirmed earlier this week that he will return for the 2020 season.

Michigan on the other hand, has looked like a new team since their loss to Penn State three weeks ago. With two conference losses, Michigan is unable to win the  Big Ten East which is disappointing, but with a  matchup against  Ohio State next week at home. Michigan could play spoiler and take down the #2 team in the country and potentially end their  national championship hopes.