The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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they have also benefitted from the emer- gence of a deep offensive line that leads the country with just four sacks allowed. Fifth-year senior receiver Tony Lippett has continued to improve and proven to be a game-breaker; he has totaled 786 yards and eight touchdowns through the air this fall. Michigan State has not taken a step back — at least numbers-wise — on the other side of the ball as expected and is firm- ly in the nation's top 10 after a 6-1 start. The five returning starters on defense have stepped up, while new impact players have emerged. Redshirt junior linebacker Ed Davis has combined with senior Taiwan Jones to form a great tandem in the middle. The duo has combined for 58 tackles, includ- ing 15.5 for loss and nine sacks. They give What: Michigan at Michigan State When: Oct. 25 • 3:30 p.m. ET Radio-TV: ABC will televise the game nationally. The game can be heard on the Michigan Sports Network (950 AM in the Detroit area, as well as the Armed Services Radio, Sirius channel 113 and XM channel 195) with former U-M team- mates Dan Dierdorf and Jim Brandstat- ter, and sideline reporter Doug Karsch. Coaches: Michigan: Brady Hoke (29- 17, fourth season). Michigan State: Mark Dantonio (70-30, eighth season). History: Michigan leads 68-33-5 after last year's 29-6 loss to the Spartans in East Lansing. Michigan State notes: The Spartans are undefeated in their last 13 confer- ence contests, including last year's Big Ten Championship victory over Ohio State, with an average margin of vic- tory of 17.8 points per game during that span … Their last league defeat was Nov. 17, 2012 — a 23-20 loss to North- western; they have won all but one con- ference game since by at least 10 points … The Spartans have rushed for more than double the amount of yards they have allowed on the ground this year; they have gained 1,820 yards and 25 touchdowns on 336 carries (average of 5.4 yards per carry), while allowing just 702 yards and 11 scores on 206 at- tempts (3.4 yards per rush) … Michigan State's turnover margin per game (1.57) is ranked third in the nation; MSU has in- tercepted eight passes and picked up 11 fumbles, while turning it over just eight times (six interceptions, two fumbles) … The Spartans are currently ranked fifth in the coaches poll and check in at No. 8 in the AP listing … Michigan has not scored a touchdown against its in- state rivals since the fourth quarter of the 2011 contest … This is the first time in series history that State has hosted the Wolverines in consecutive years. GAME FACTS