Greg McElroy picks Michigan to win, cover vs. Michigan State

There aren’t many things in college football that can match the passion of an in-state rivalry. Saturday’s clash in East Lansing will once again showcase one of the sport’s fiercest.

The Michigan State Spartans host the Michigan Wolverines in what will be the latest head-to-head meeting between Jonathan Smith and Sherrone Moore. For many around the country, including ESPN’s Greg McElroy, the expectation is that the Wolverines will emerge victorious.

On Always College Football, McElroy made his pick official. He’s siding with Michigan not only to win, but also to cover the two-touchdown spread, though he admitted it’s not a wager he’d make confidently.

“It’s always tough to lay two touchdowns on the road in a rivalry, but unless Michigan screws it up, I just think it’s going to be hard for Michigan State to stop them or score with them throughout this game,” McElroy said. “So I’ll take Michigan, and I will reluctantly lay the points, but that does not feel good.

“I’m going to be honest with you, I wouldn’t bet this game under any circumstances. But since I have to, I’ll tell you to lay the points.”

Michigan will enter the matchup with its postseason hopes very much alive but under pressure. A loss would drop the Wolverines to two losses in Big Ten play, likely eliminating them from championship contention and putting their Playoff dreams in jeopardy. Moore’s team will need a focused and disciplined performance to keep those aspirations intact and maintain control over their own destiny.

For Michigan State, the challenge is steep, but the motivation is there. Smith’s group started the season 3-0 before dropping four straight, and they’re still in search of their first conference win. A victory over Michigan would not only end that skid but also inject life back into a rebuilding program, and deliver Smith a signature moment.

Kickoff in East Lansing promises to be charged with emotion on Saturday. However, as McElroy sees it, Michigan’s balance and firepower might simply be too much for the Spartans to overcome, despite how motivated Michigan State is for an upset.

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— On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this article.