Michigan-Michigan State score predictions from MLive's beat writers

A new era of the rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State begins Saturday night in Ann Arbor.

Both programs are 4-3 this season with first-year head coaches, although Michigan's Sherrone Moore has been involved in the rivalry as an assistant coach for the past six years.

Jonathan Smith and his Spartans ended a three-game losing streak with a blowout 32-20 win over Iowa last week and will look to carry that momentum into the Big House.

Meanwhile, the Wolverines are trying to overcome a two-game deficit in which they outscored Washington and Illinois 48-24 with a minus-4 turnover margin.

Before the season, many believed Michigan would be a heavy favorite after dominating the last two meetings, but oddsmakers are expecting a close game on Saturday. Here are outcome predictions from MLive's beat writers:

Aaron McMann

I see two programs with identical data sets going in different directions. If MSU plays like it did against Iowa last week and limits turnovers, there's a good chance the Spartans will come out victorious. Michigan desperately needs Will Johnson to disrupt Aidan Chiles' rhythm. Meanwhile, I don't expect the Wolverines to suddenly figure it out on offense.

Could they limit turnovers and maintain a few shots on goal? Sure, but their chances depend on a chaotic game. If you got the 5.5 or 6 points at MSU earlier in the week, good for you. I thought that was too many points. Michigan expresses this but fails to cover in a knockdown, drawn-out battle between two programs still trying to figure it out. Prediction: Michigan 20, Michigan State 17

Ryan Zuke

Let me preface my prediction by saying this is the least confidence I've felt in picking the Wolverines in a long time. They are 1-6 this season, which isn't all that surprising given the poor passing attacks and costly turnovers that have plagued the team all year.

Michigan's Big Ten and national title hopes are dashed, but if it can't beat its in-state rival at home after last year's 49-0 win over the Spartans, Ann Arbor will officially be in crisis mode. It won't be pretty, but Michigan will find a way to get a win on Saturday. Prediction: Michigan 24, Michigan State 17

Andrew Kahn

This Michigan team has one fatal flaw that somehow makes its other problems irrelevant. The quarterback play has been poor, and because of that, Michigan's ceiling is severely limited. The Wolverines won't be able to beat the really good teams on their schedule, but that shouldn't stop them from facing Michigan State.

The Spartans, like the four teams Michigan has already beaten, are just fine. They lack the run defense to make Michigan one-dimensional, nor the offensive playmakers to exploit a vulnerable secondary.

For example, as long as the Wolverines' turnover margin isn't minus-2, they'll parade Paul Bunyan on the field at Michigan Stadium on Saturday at 11 p.m. Prediction: Michigan 23, Michigan State 14

Matt Wenzel

Many people viewed this game as an automatic L for the Spartans early in the season, but a lot has changed in two months. The reigning national champions are struggling under Moore, while Smith appears to be on the right track in the first year of the rebuild.

I don't know if Michigan State can repeat its performance against Iowa at the point of attack, but I expect Smith to become the second straight Michigan State coach to win his first game against the Wolverines. Forecast: Michigan State 23, Michigan 20

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