Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham told reporters following last Saturday’s loss to Penn State that the Wolverines will not lose to rival Michigan State this weekend.
“We are not going to lose to State,” Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham told reporters Saturday following a 46-17 loss at Penn State.
Two days later, Graham’s teammates didn’t fault him for firing up Michigan State more.
“He wanted to guarantee a win. We’re going to back him up on it,” defensive tackle Terrance Taylor said Monday.
Oddsmakers aren’t counting on that happening.
Michigan State (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) is a 5 1/2-point favorite to beat Michigan (2-5, 1-2) for the first time since 2001, when T.J. Duckett caught a touchdown pass with disputed time on the clock, and for the first time in Ann Arbor since 1990, when Desmond Howard dropped a pass in the end zone after he appeared to be tripped.
Michigan is an underdog at home against Michigan State for the first time since 1968 when the Spartans were a six-point favorite, according to World Features Syndicate. The Wolverines won that game 28-14.
When you’re one of the more storied programs in the nation and you lose to Toledo on your home turf, you automatically forfeit the right to guarantee victory over anyone.
