Michigan Football: 3 reasons Wolverines will beat Michigan State in Week 9

It feels cliche to say at this point, but this is a very big game for Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football. In his seventh season in Ann Arbor, Harbaugh has still yet to beat Ohio State or make an appearance in the Big Ten championship game.

Harbaugh has also struggled to beat his other rival Michigan State and that has been the focal point of frustration with the outspoken Michigan coach.

This Saturday is a chance for Harbaugh and this program to take a step towards silencing some of the critics that have understandably not fully bought into the Wolverines this season. Michigan has not played the hardest schedule in the country by any means, but they have a very good defense and one of the best running games in the country.

This is going to be a big test, but it is going to be up to the Wolverines to show why they should be considered serious contenders.

The winner of this game is going to be well-positioned to be the biggest challenger to Ohio State in the Big Ten East and a College Football Playoff contender as well. Both teams have questions to answer about how legit each one of them is and that is what makes this game so fascinating.

This is one of the most underrated rivalries in college football. Expect a hard-fought and low-scoring game, but I think Michigan is going to find a way to win this game and stay undefeated.

Here are three reasons that Michigan will beat Michigan State.