Week 10 picks, preview: CMU, WMU face off for Victory Cannon, MSU hopes to end skid vs. Minnesota

It’s been a revolving door of rivalry in Michigan over the last two weeks, with Michigan and Michigan State playing last week before giving way to Central Michigan and Western Michigan this week in the battle for the Victory Cannon Trophy. 

That game kicks off at 4 p.m. in Kalamazoo and will be broadcast on ESPNU, with MAC title hopes at stake along with the rivalry. 

Elsewhere, Michigan State travels to Minnesota for a mid-afternoon kickoff and Michigan hosts Purdue for an evening game. Eastern Michigan is idle this weekend. 

Picks went 3-1 last week and are 26-11 on the season. 

Michigan State at Minnesota, 3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network/FOX streaming

Michigan State players didn’t hide from what the goal is after a five game skid: Win out, and make a bowl game. With four games left and needing three wins, the Spartans don’t even have to complete the former goal to reach the latter. But winning this weekend at Minnesota to snap the skid and get back in the win column would be a big swing for an MSU team and coaching staff searching for answers. 

The Gophers are coming off a rivalry loss of their own, but have been a tough out at home. And while it's a different cut of roster talent, Minnesota plays a similar style to Michigan, putting a premium on Michigan State’s ability to hold up in the trenches. It’ll be an uphill climb for Michigan State to win this game, and the Spartans need the offense to snap out of the scoring rut it’s in. But desperate teams can create unexpected results, and the Spartans do with a road win this weekend.

The pick: Michigan State 26, Minnesota 21

Western Michigan vs. Central Michigan, 4 p.m., ESPNU/ESPN+ streaming

There’s a real case to be made that this is a more intense in-state rivalry than Michigan-Michigan State, in part because neither the Broncos or Chippewas are looking to a bigger end-of-season rival, a la Michigan and Ohio State. Beating Central Michigan is massive to the Broncos, and beating Western Michigan is just as huge for the Chippewas. And underneath the fire of rivalry is an intriguing matchup. 

The Broncos have a stout defense that creates lots of disruption via sacks, tackles for loss and turnovers. Quarterback Broc Lowry drew rave reviews from CMU head coach Matt Drinkall for his running prowess and efficiency. And the Broncos are drilling down on contending with a CMU defense that loves to make things complex for the opposition and a rushing attack that’s one of the best in the MAC. This game is hard to pick, but CMU being down to just Joe Labas at QB on the road makes this a WMU lean.

The pick: Western Michigan 20, Central Michigan 16

Michigan vs. Purdue, 7 p.m., Big Ten Network/FOX streaming

Outside of Michigan playing with some sort of rivalry hangover, Purdue doesn’t seem to have much of a shot in this one. Not much of a surprise for the Boilermakers squad that new head coach Barry Odoms is rebuilding from the studs. Purdue is one of four Big Ten teams winless in conference and hasn’t won since a Sept. 6 victory over Southern Illinois. 

Michigan’s run game should keep churning along with a young offensive line blocking for the backfield duo of Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall, and quarterback Bryce Underwood will surely hope for a bounce-back performance after putting up 86 yards against the Spartans. The defense should keep clicking, though the potential absence of linebacker Cole Sullivan, among other banged up players like Rod Moore, is worth monitoring ahead of Michigan’s second bye on Nov. 8. 

The pick: Michigan 34, Purdue 10