Brady Hoke predicts UM win over MSU

Former Michigan coach Brady Hoke likes Michigan's chances in the upcoming rivalry game against Michigan State.

Hoke, who now has a twice-weekly gig on SiriusXM College Sports with host Mark Packer, discussed Saturday's game while responding to a caller during the show Tuesday afternoon.

Hoke spent the last four seasons coaching Michigan and was 1-3 against the Spartans, the lone win coming in 2012, 12-10, at Michigan Stadium, the last time the teams played there. He was fired after last season's 5-7 record and replaced by Jim Harbaugh.

Seventh-ranked and unbeaten Michigan State plays No. 12 Michigan (5-1) on Saturday at Michigan Stadium. ESPN's College GameDay will be originating from there. The Spartans have won six of the last seven meetings with the Wolverines.

"Michigan State, they're coming in this game limping a little bit from an injury standpoint, but I did like in just evaluating how (quarterback) Connor Cook played last week (at Rutgers), he threw for 357 yards," Hoke said on SiriusXM. "I think matching their receivers will be the first test for Michigan's defensive backs.

"Now, that (Michigan) pass rush and the way the front four is playing and the front seven, they're playing awfully hard. I think this is going to be a great game. I think Michigan is going to win the game, but I also think this is exactly what Mark Dantonio and Michigan State (like). They feed off everyone talking about Michigan, and that's just the way their makeup is."

Hoke said the team that doesn't turn the ball over and can run the ball will win.

Packer said he thinks both teams will have a hard time running the ball.

"I think Michigan State will have a harder time running the football than Michigan will," Hoke said.

The X-factor, according to the radio duo, is Michigan quarterback Jake Rudock, the graduate transfer from Iowa.

"If you're Michigan State, you want to put the ball in Rudock's hands," Hoke said. "That's where you want the football to see if he can make the plays."

Hoke grew up in the Dayton, Ohio area and always rooted for Michigan, so the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry always held a special place. He described the Michigan-Michigan State game as fans drawing a "line in the sand" and households are divided.

"The Ohio game, and this is personal a little bit, that game has always meant for me growing up in the state of Ohio, that game has always been special," he said. "The intensity and the energy whether it's in Columbus or Ann Arbor, that game has always meant a little more to me."

But the Michigan-Michigan State game, he said, is "intense" and pointed out that playing at home helps a bit.

"We played Michigan State in four years, three years at their place, and I think that does make a difference," Hoke said.

angelique.chengelis@detroitnews.com

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