Michigan vs. Michigan State Football: Complete Guide To This Year's Massive Rivalry Game

The Michigan-Michigan State football rivalry has been pretty one-sided lately, with the Spartans taking six of the last seven matchups in the series.

With the Wolverine’s unexpected 2015 breakout, that may start to change this year.

Here’s everything you need to know about the showdown, whether you’re planning on watching at home, going to the game or just trying to avoid the traffic.

How are the teams doing this year?

Michigan is experiencing a resurgence of sorts under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh, a former Michigan quarterback who came to Ann Arbor most recently from the San Francisco 49ers.

The Wolverines are 5-1 so far this year, and their only loss was by seven points on the road in week one at Utah, which is undefeated and ranked No. 4 by the Associated Press.

Michigan State is a perfect 6-0 but have escaped what would have been embarrassing losses to Purdue and Rutgers the last two weeks.

MSU and UM are ranked No. 7 and No. 12, respectively, setting up for a high-stakes game with playoff implications for both teams.

When: Saturday, October 17, 3:30 p.m. ET

Where: Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor

TV: ESPN

Point spread: Michigan by 8

Tickets: Tickets are sold out on Michigan’s website but can still be bought through ticket re-sellers like StubHub.

Parking

Most parking lots near Michigan Stadium are permit-only, and open between 6-8 a.m. on game days.

You can find a complete list of parking lots, with pricing and opening times, here.

Traffic information

After the game, Main Street/Ann Arbor-Saline Road is one way southbound from Michigan Stadium to Interstate 94. Postgame southbound traffic along South Main Street will include stop-and-go traffic signals at the Scio Church/South Main and Ann Arbor-Saline/South Main intersections. This is intended to provide safer crossing opportunities for pedestrians. The traffic signal operation will be manually controlled and activated when pedestrians accumulate at the crosswalks.

What you can and can’t bring in the stadium

Permitted items:

• Foam seat pads
• Small non-pocket seat cushions without zippers or storage slots
• Binoculars -- CASES are not permitted
• Cell phones and pagers
• Small cameras (those with a lens shorter than 6 inches) and radios
• Blankets and rain apparel -- UMBRELLAS are not permitted

Prohibited items:

• All bags (including purses, fanny packs, etc.)
• All bottles (including all types of water bottles)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Aerosol and spray cans
• Animals (except service animals for persons with a disability)
• Apparel or signage displaying profane or abusive language
• Containers of any kind (including coolers, thermoses, cups, cans, flasks)
• Flags and flagpoles
• Food of any kind
• Irritants
• Projectiles (including footballs, Frisbees and beach balls)
• Seat cushions containing any type of metal or those with pockets, zippers, storage slots, seat backs, arm rests, or attachments of any kind
• Strollers
• Video camera, tripods and selfie sticks
• Umbrellas
• Weapons

Editor’s note: information in this article was provided by the University of Michigan.

Image via Youtube