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Mitten Masterkey

Mitten Masterkey: Week 14, Rivalry Week

The Game highlights three games on Saturday for the Mitten teams, including a meaningful Central Michigan-Toledo matchup.

Andrew Graham

— 3 min read
Mitten Masterkey: Week 14, Rivalry Week
(Rachel Leggett/Mitten Football)

Rivalry Week is here with lots at stake for at least Mitten team, Michigan, as the Wolverines play host to Ohio State. 

The Game will have Big Ten title and College Football Playoff implications, but it’s not the only important game in the state. Toledo visits Central Michigan in a game with MAC title implications, at least for Toledo and possibly for the hosts, and Michigan State is fighting to end an eight-game losing streak in the finale against Maryland. 

Let’s dig in. 

Mitten Football will be at…

Michigan Stadium for The Game, then making a jaunt over to Detroit for Michigan State-Maryland, because what better way to spend a Saturday.

The schedule and TV assignments

Games are Saturday unless otherwise noted.

Noon — Central Michigan vs. Toledo, noon, ESPN+ streaming
Noon — Michigan vs. Ohio State, noon, FOX/FOX streaming
7 p.m. — Michigan State vs. Maryland, 7 p.m., FS1/FOX streaming

And for the uninitiated, this master schedule absolutely rocks (just be aware times are central).

Pregame, halftime reading from Mitten Football and others

Picks and preview

Read the full picks and previews here, but an abridged version without scores:

Central Michigan over Toledo
Ohio State over Michigan
Michigan State over Maryland

A freshman to watch: Bryce Underwood, Michigan QB

After an up and down season, Underwood’s performance on Saturday will likely define how his first year is remembered. If he plays poorly, it lends credence to those who wish to say he is overrated and/or that Michigan isn’t the place to maximize his talents. If he plays well, and especially if he leads Michigan to a win, the hype train for 2026 will start to get overbooked. 

It’s a spot of immense pressure for the 18 year old, but one he inevitably sought out when he made his choice to flip his commitment from LSU to Michigan last fall. And the true freshman quarterback and No. 1 overall recruit has flashed the immense upside that made him a coveted prospect. If he puts it together in a consistent performance on Saturday, he could lead Michigan to another monumental rivalry win. 

A unit to watch: Central Michigan’s offensive line

The Chippewas have made hay by running the ball and taking calculated risks in a lower-volume passing game. That will be hard to do against a Toledo team that’s as talented as any the Chippewas have faced since play Pitt and Michigan back-to-back. The Rockets have some future NFL players on the defense, and the ability to gum up the CMU offense. 

This will be a game where punting, defense and field position matter, but the Chippewas will need to squeeze enough out of this offense to outpace a Toledo offense that isn’t a juggernaut itself. It’s definitely within reach, but will require the Central Michigan offensive line (and tight ends, running backs and receivers) to be on their best as blockers in the run and pass games. 

A fun prediction: Nick Marsh gets going

Marsh, by the estimation of his coaches, has been pressing. Opponents have also dedicated coverage to him. But the Spartans still need to get him going, and it’s not been for lack of trying, either, as offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren described how he has a section of his call sheet dedicated to No. 6 (Marsh’s number). Whatever the cause of his troubles, it’s been evident in the lack of production. He’s had six catches for 23 yards in the last two games for MSU.

Marsh has also been a bit banged up this season, but it might finally be time for him to put together a performance that reminds the world why he was such a coveted recruit. A big, strong and explosive athlete, MSU has had trouble getting Marsh open down the field and connecting. Perhaps it’s a schematic tweak or just more targets his way, but the Spartans get Marsh going to get a needed win. 

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