In recent years, the football programs of Michigan State and Michigan have trended in opposite directions, culminating last season when Michigan State won four games and Michigan captured the national championship. The teams again are headed in opposite directions going into this year's annual showdown Saturday night in Ann Arbor, but this time Michigan State is trending up while Michigan has regressed. The Spartans (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) are coming off their best performance of the season, a convincing 32-20 win over Iowa in a game that saw Michigan State rush for more than 200 yards and not punt once against the normally stout Hawkeyes' defense.
Rivals Michigan State, Michigan on opposite paths entering annual clash
