GREG SCHIANO

The round robin that will determine the Big Ten East champion starts this Saturday. 8 Michigan State and fifth-ranked Ohio State hosts No. 20 Penn State. 5 Ohio StateLast week’s rankings noted that Penn State might be able to beat Illinois even if quarterback Sean Clifford wasn’t yet ready to return from injury. It sets up the epic showdown with in-state rival Michigan State on Saturday.

No. 11 Michigan State is off to its best start since going 8-0 in 2015.

With the Wolverines outscoring opponents 141-34 during their 3-0 start and hosting the Scarlet Knights, they are nearly a three-touchdown betting favorite heading into Saturday. The Scarlet Knights should have won last year’s matchup in Piscataway but blew a 17-point lead. And I don’t think the Scarlet Knights have enough playmakers on offense to go blow for blow with the Wolverines. Prediction: Michigan 35, Rutgers 14Aaron McMannOriginally, the 18 1/2 number was a little too high for my liking. Michigan 38, Rutgers 17Buy Wolverines gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, LidsBuy Wolverines tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, TicketmasterStream Wolverines games live: fuboTV, ESPN+, Sling

No. 19 Michigan enters Big Ten play trying to focus only on Rutgers, and yet its school-record conference championship drought is tough to ignore.

The last time Michigan saw Rutgers, the two teams were playing late into the night in New Jersey in a triple-overtime thriller. Now, some 10 months later, both programs have emerged from non-conference play with unblemished records and a lot going right. On the latest “Wolverine Confidential” podcast, MLive’s Aaron McMann, Ryan Zuke and Andrew Kahn are joined by NJ.com Rutgers beat writer James Kratch to break down the matchup. Kratch provides an update on the pair of suspended players, gives his thoughts on where this Rutgers program sits, strengths and weaknesses and discusses recruiting. You can listen to the 30-minute conversation via the embedded player below (click here if you can’t see it) or by searching for us, “Wolverine Confidential,” on your preferred podcasting platform.

Rutgers is geographically distanced from the Big Ten’s elite programs. Since joining the Big Ten, Rutgers is a combined 1-25 against Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Penn State. On consecutive weeks in October of 2016, Rutgers lost 58-0 to Ohio State and 78-0 to Michigan. Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Ohio State looks vulnerable and Indiana has already lost twice. Related: Big Ten football power rankings: Are Michigan, Michigan State title contenders?

Rutgers could be without one of its best defensive players for Saturday’s game against Michigan. According to NJ.com, Melton and Long have been charged with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Melton, a redshirt freshman, started the first three games at cornerback for Rutgers. Both teams enter the game at Michigan Stadium with identical 3-0 records. __________________Buy Wolverines gear: Fanatics, Nike, Amazon, LidsBuy Wolverines tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek, TicketmasterStream Wolverines games live: fuboTV, ESPN+, Sling

Call him Greg Schiano 2.0. Rutgers football coach is calmer and has a more nuanced attitude than he did during his first tenure with Scarlet Knights.

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2020, file photo, Kansas City Chiefs fans do "the chop" at the start of the team's NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann, File)There will be about 25,000 fans inside Raymond James Stadium for the Super Bowl on Sunday. Even when COVID-19 numbers were spiking around the country, the Chiefs never experienced an outbreak traced back to their fans. BRADY’S PORTUGUESETom Brady's six Super Bowl rings don't protect him from being trash talked in his own home. The fact that it will happen in the Super Bowl?

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker pumps his fist after the team defeated Michigan in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)In yet another twist to this crazy college football season, a matchup between Maryland and Michigan State has been canceled a second time after an outbreak of COVID-19 in College Park. The Terrapins (2-3) were slated to face the Spartans (2-5) on Saturday night as part of the Big Ten “Champions Week.”But on Thursday afternoon, Maryland released this statement:“Under the guidance and advice from university medical staff, Maryland Athletics has canceled Saturday’s scheduled football game against Michigan State. “Our team has demonstrated a tremendous work ethic, resolve and displayed Maryland pride throughout this unique season. Home games against Ohio State and two against Michigan State was called off because of a COVID-19 outbreak in College Park, and the Dec. 5 game at Michigan was canceled because of virus issue among the Wolverines. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and http://www.twitter.com/AP_Top25

By the time Michigan safety Daxton Hill intercepted Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral in the end zone to seal a 48-42 victory, Saturday night had turned into Sunday morning. The Wolverines needed triple overtime to outlast the Scarlet Knights in Piscataway, New Jersey and snap a three-game losing streak. The Scarlet Knights drove 75 yards for a touchdown and two-point conversion to tie the game at 35 with 27 seconds remaining. Here is what’s being said nationally about Michigan’s wild victory against a Rutgers team that has one Big Ten win since the 2017. (Sporting News)Greg Schiano overtime gaffe let Jim Harbaugh, Michigan off the hook (Asbury Park Press)What was Rutgers’ Greg Schiano thinking with his strategy to set up for a long field goal in OT loss to Michigan?

Michigan 48, Rutgers 42SECOND OVERTIMEMichigan drive starts on Rutgers 25The Wolverines answered Rutgers’ touchdown to send the game to a third overtime. Michigan 35, Rutgers 3511:17 – Michigan drive starts on own 15What a drive from Michigan. Michigan 35, Rutgers 2713:32 – Rutgers drive starts on own 19LB Josh Ross had a pivotal sack to push Rutgers back for a second-and-21. Michigan 28, Rutgers 27THIRD QUARTER1:57 – Michigan drive starts on own 29A Rutgers facemask penalty put Michigan into Scarlet Knights territory. Rutgers 7, Michigan 04:26 – Michigan drive starts on own 28Not a good offensive possession right after Rutgers takes the lead.

Michigan has another opportunity to get bak on track against a team it’s had great success against in recent years. The Wolverines look to break a three-game losing skid behind them on Saturday against Rutgers, an evening showdown in Piscataway, New Jersey. Jim Harbaugh, in Year 6, is in the worst season of his Michigan tenure, while returning head coach Greg Schiano is still in the midst of a rebuild. Here’s everything you need to know for today’s game:GAME INFORMATION* Who: Michigan (1-3) at Rutgers (1-3)* When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21* Where: SHI Stadium, Piscataway, N.J.* TV: Big Ten Network* Radio: Michigan Sports Network (WTKA-AM 1050 Ann Arbor; WWJ-AM 950/WXYT-FM 97.1 Detroit); Sirius/XM Ch. * Speaking of criticism, Michigan defensive line coach Shaun Nua offered up a fiery ending to a radio interview earlier this week.

The opportunity is there for Michigan to snap its three-game losing streak this week as it travels to Rutgers for a 7:30 p.m. showdown Saturday. Meanwhile, Michigan has regressed every week this season and still has several lingering questions heading into Saturday. Here are five things we learned about Michigan football this week. No injury updates on three key startersHarbaugh declined to offer any injury updates Monday on starting offensive tackles Jalen Mayfield and Ryan Hayes or starting defensive end Kwity Paye. The fundamentals and techniques that we teach day in and day out.”Get Wolverine Confidential texts straight to your phone from our Michigan football writers.

In 2014, Rutgers’ first season in the Big Ten, the Scarlet Knights beat Michigan. Michigan offense vs. Rutgers defenseHardly anything went right for Michigan against Wisconsin last Saturday and that includes the offense. Which of the two will start against Rutgers likely won’t be known until Michigan’s offense takes the field. Rutgers offense vs. Michigan defenseHere’s Schiano to Rutgers reporters this week: “We’re clearly in the developmental stage,” he said, referring offense, defense, and special teams. Ah, Michigan’s defense.

Greg Schiano is in his first season of a rebuild at Rutgers, which hasn’t had a winning season since 2014. It’s funny because after the Michigan State upset there was already talk about Rutgers going to a bowl this year. And despite getting hammered by Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State in most years since joining the league in 2014, Rutgers has been competitive at times against the likes of Maryland, Indiana and Michigan State. A: While his stats aren’t gaudy, Dwumfour belongs in the conversation for team MVP through the first half of Rutgers’ season. A: In its upset of Michigan State, Rutgers turned over the Spartans seven times.

Head coach Greg Schiano’s second stint at Rutgers couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. The Scarlet Knights opened 2020 with a 38-27 win over Michigan State – their first Big Ten win since 2017. While Rutgers has had some exciting moments in the three games since, such as a few successful trick plays against Ohio State, it has lost all three. The latest loss came Saturday against Illinois, which entered the game having been outscored 117-45 during its 0-3 start. Rutgers also had a few costly penalties and was flagged seven times for 56 yards.

What about the rest of the Big Ten’s head coaches? Fleck, Minnesota; Jeff Brohm, PurdueLet’s start with a disclaimer: All these coaches are very safe for the timing being. It’s unclear whether the Terps will be able to take the field this coming Saturday against Michigan State. The Big Ten has been mostly spared: Before Maryland, only Wisconsin had suffered an outbreak that required canceled games. In the season opener, he led Rutgers to its first Big Ten win in three years.

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. Fields threw two touchdown passes to Chris Olave, with Jameson Williams, Garrett Wilson and Jeremy Ruckert also recipients of scoring passes. Wilson caught six passes for 104 yards for Ohio State, and Fields completed passes to nine receivers. They battled Ohio State but couldn't climb out of the hole they dug early. Ohio State: The Buckeyes were sloppy and got stuck in the mud at times, but Fields can make things happen.

Wearing a dark suit and green tie, the first-year Michigan State coach was greeted by athletic director Bill Beekman under sunny skies on a crisp Saturday morning. Prior to Saturday, Rutgers was 0-6 against Michigan State since joining the Big Ten and brought a 21-game conference losing streak to East Lansing. The pathetic resume and status as the Big Ten’s doormat made Rutgers look like the ideal opponent for Michigan State to start the season. Michigan State’s rushing game was almost nonexistent, the offensive line struggled and there were blown assignments and missed tackles on defense. And with a trip on Saturday to face a Michigan team that is coming off a convincing win at Minnesota, the outlook is bleak for Tucker’s debut in the rivalry.

EAST LANSING – The Mel Tucker era at Michigan State opened with a thud. Tucker is the first Michigan State coach to lose his debut since Nick Saban in 1995. Rutgers picked up its first win against Michigan State in seven tries since joining the Big Ten. New Michigan State starting quarterback Rocky Lombardi finished 31-for-44 passing for 319 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Jayden Reed, a Freshman All-American at Western Michigan in 2018 who had to sit out last season after transferring to Michigan State, made his debut in green and white.

The Scarlet Knights scored 14 points total through their first five Big Ten games last year. Rocky Lombardi was sacked and fumbled, giving Rutgers the ball at the Michigan State 1. Michigan State lost another fumble near midfield on its first possession of the third. A slow start wasn't much of a surprise, and even beyond all the turnovers, Michigan State looked disorganized on some key plays. Michigan State: The Spartans have a lot of improving to do heading into next weekend's matchup — on the road against rival Michigan.

Here’s a scouting report and prediction for the game:When Michigan State passes:Three-year starting quarterback Brian Lewerke graduated and Tucker has yet to name his replacement. However, don’t be surprised if Michigan State also uses either Day or Thorne – or maybe even both – to give their younger quarterbacks a look. Since June, Michigan State athletics has released weekly COVID-19 testing results but it’s not sport-specific and there’s no indication that will change. Defensively, Michigan State has a new coordinator in Scottie Hazelton and the team has to replace seven starters on that side of the ball. There’s a lot that needs to be worked out for both teams but Michigan State should have more talent on the field.

EAST LANSING, MI -- It’s been 300 days since the Michigan State football team defeated Wake Forest in the 2019 Pinstripe Bowl, but the new season of Spartan football is just a few days away. Mel Tucker will make his debut on Saturday when Michigan State hosts Rutgers at Spartan Stadium at noon on Saturday. On episode seven of MLive’s Spartan Confidential podcast, Brandon Champion is joined by Michigan State beat reporters Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel to preview the game which features two programs opening new chapters in their long histories. RELATED: Spartan Confidential podcast: Michigan State basketball practice is underwayWhat will it be like at an empty Spartan Stadium? READ MORE:Two Michigan State football players suspended indefinitely from team after arrestMichigan State’s Mel Tucker keeping lineup under wraps with no depth chartHow Michigan State football is preparing for a season opener without fansMichigan State outlines challenges of facing new-look Rutgers in openerBig Ten picks: MLive’s predictions for Michigan-Minnesota, MSU-Rutgers

The Mel Tucker era at Michigan State will officially begin at Spartan Stadium while Greg Schiano is back at Rutgers, attempting to revive a program he previously guided to success. “You’re not quite sure exactly what you’re going to see. The last time Rutgers visited East Lansing, Michigan State railled for a 14-10 win in the 2018 regular-season finale. You’re going to be playing somebody challenging every week. You’re going to get hit every week, that’s guaranteed.”Related Michigan State football stories:Mayors urge Big Ten to consider community COVID-19 data as football kicks offMichigan State football will have game captains before players vote at end of seasonUp next: Michigan State takes on Rutgers in Greg Schiano’s return5 goals for Mel Tucker and Michigan State football in 2020Unclear who starts at QB for Rutgers in season opener vs. Michigan State

It’s unclear who will start at quarterback for Michigan State in its season opener against Rutgers on Saturday in East Lansing. The Scarlet Knights are 0-6 against Michigan State since joining the Big Ten and have dropped 21 straight conference games. Heading into Saturday’s game (noon, BTN) in East Lansing, Michigan State still hasn’t publicly named a starting quarterback. Redshirt junior Rocky Lombardi, redshirt sophomore Theo Day, redshirt freshman Payton Thorne and true freshman Noah Kim are in the mix for the job. Related Michigan State football stories:Spartans in the NFL: Khari Willis shines as Colts top Bengals10 predictions for Michigan State football in 2020Michigan State football opens as double-digit favorite vs. RutgersMichigan State DE Drew Beesley arrived as a walk-on, now on verge of starting spotThree new positive tests as Michigan State athletics' COVID-19 numbers continue to decline

The Mel Tucker era at Michigan State will begin with his team a double-digit favorite. Michigan State is coming off back-to-back 7-6 seasons and Tucker was hired in February after coach Mark Dantonio retired following 13 seasons. Rutgers is 0-6 against Michigan State since joining the Big Ten, including a 27-0 loss last season. The Scarlet Knights have lost 21 straight conference games. Related Michigan State football stories:Michigan State DE Drew Beesley arrived as a walk-on, now on verge of starting spotThree new positive tests as Michigan State athletics' COVID-19 numbers continue to declineMichigan State LB Noah Harvey stepped up late last season and is ready to expand roleMichigan State’s revamped secondary coming together under familiar leadershipNCAA proposes immediate eligibility for transfer players

With the Big Ten football season inching closer -- games begin next week! MLive’s Michigan State football beat writer Matt Wenzel projects Rocky Lombardi will be the starter when the Spartans take the field against Rutgers. “It’s hard to find anyone across college football who isn’t forecasting a big season ahead for redshirt junior Journey Brown,” PennLive’s Dustin Hockensmith writes. “Big Ten punishes Minnesota with three Friday night games.” That’s the headline on a Minnesota fan site Monday in response to the Big Ten releasing some of the dates and times for league games. Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald recently addressed “the new normal” that is preparing for a football season during a pandemic.

Since joining the Big Ten, Rutgers is 0-6 against Michigan State and the program has lost 21 straight conference games. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Michigan State under Nick Saban from 1997-98. Michigan State has won three straight against Iowa, with the last matchup a 17-10 victory in 2017 in East Lansing. Ohio State has won four straight against Michigan State – the last three by a combined score of 108-19 – and seven in a row in East Lansing. Related Michigan State football stories:Michigan State QB battle back in focus with Big Ten season reinstatedMel Tucker sticking with improvised strategy as recruiting dead period stretches into 2021Check out Michigan State football’s new 2020 scheduleMel Tucker embracing more uncertainty as Michigan State moves into potentially bumpy seasonMichigan State DE Jacub Panasiuk opts back in, will play this fall

But one thing that can never change: Michigan playing Indiana the week before the Ohio State game. Michigan StateIt feels strange to have Michigan State so low on this list, but the reality is Mel Tucker inherited a bit of a mess. Michigan state introduces Colorados Mel Tucker as head football coachEven more worrisome: Michigan State has ranked 36th, 31st, 33rd and 43rd in national recruiting the last four years, and currently sits at No. Last year was the first close game between Michigan and Penn State in five years. Michigans 2015 road win over Penn State wasnt particularly close, either, though the scoring margin wasnt as drastic as the others.