Spartans and Wolverines duel in rivalry showdown

• Rivalry aside, MSU and U of M have identical records (4-3 overall, 2-2 Big Ten) and could use a win to separate themselves from the glut of mediocre teams in the conference.

Between the lines: MSU is trending up behind sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles and an unexpected win last week against Iowa.

• U of M, however, has played three QBs this year and none have played well. Coach Sherrone Moore was short with the press this week in declining to publicly name a starting QB before the game.

State of play: Kickoff is at 7:30pm on Saturday at Michigan Stadium.

• The Big Ten Network is broadcasting.
• The rivalry has been split in the last 10 contests, with each school winning five times. U of M won 49-0 last year.

Meanwhile, the NFC North-leading Lions (5-1) host the lowly Tennessee Titans (1-5) at 1pm on Sunday at Ford Field.

• The game's on Fox.
• The team is expected to be without wide receiver Jameson Williams, who is facing a two-game suspension for violating the league's rules on performance-enhancing substances.