Overview
- After Bryce Underwood went 8-of-17 for a career-low 86 passing yards, Michigan shifted to a heavy ground attack, with Justice Haynes rushing for about 152 yards and two touchdowns and Jordan Marshall adding 110 yards and a score.
- Michigan State dropped its fifth straight to fall to 3-5 and 0-5 in the Big Ten, with quarterback Aidan Chiles earning a career-worst 48.3 PFF offensive grade and the team posting some of its lowest offense, defense and overall marks of the season.
- Discipline compounded MSU’s issues as the Spartans were flagged 12 times for 105 yards, and the staff said it submitted questions to the conference about a disputed offsides call that negated a forced fumble and has yet to receive a response.
- Coach Jonathan Smith said his weekly meetings with athletic director J Batt remain consistent as pressure builds, with his record at MSU at 8-12 overall and reports noting a buyout exceeding $30 million on his seven-year contract.
- Oddsmakers moved Michigan to roughly a three-touchdown favorite against Purdue, while Ohio State is around -20.5 versus Penn State after the Lions’ coaching change to interim Terry Smith and injuries that include starting quarterback Drew Allar.