On Saturday, Wolverines have overall edge

The Spartans rank 10th among conference teams in pass defense (just ahead of you-know-who), thanks in part to the Amp Campbell's season-ending injury.

Brady's got several options, which helps his cause. Jerame Tuman seems ready for a breakout game, Tai Streets should be healthy after a mild ankle sprain and freshman David Terrell emerged last week as a definite threat. Marcus Knight and Marquise Walker will line up wide as well. Combine that with Thomas and Williams catching passes out of the backfield, and Michigan looks to be in pretty good shape.

And if all else fails, the Wolverines can always turn to Drew Henson.

FILE PHOTO Michigan tailback Clarence Williams will have to deal with Michigan State defensive end Robaire Smith on Saturday. Beyond that, the Michigan running game should flourish against the Michigan State defensive line.

Michigan State rushing game vs. Michigan rushing defense:

This one's easy.

Michigan's linebackers are ailing. Clint Copenhaver, Sam Sword and Ian Gold have all missed time in recent weeks. How long will they hold up against the Spartans? Nobody knows. Actually, Lloyd Carr might know, but he's certainly not telling anyone. Technically, his defense is "banged up."

That leaves Michigan's down lineman to contend with Sedrick Irvin.

Irvin may be overrated, but he's at least comparable to Autry Denson, who ran all over the Wolverines.

Irvin just might do the same. Look for him to get a full day's work - probably in the range of 30 carries.

Edge: Michigan State

Michigan State passing offense vs. Michigan passing defense:

Bill Burke should thank his lucky stars. If there's one defensive backfield he'd want to start off the Big Ten season against (other than his own, of course) it has to be Michigan's. Sound familiar?

The Wolverines rank dead last in this category in the Big Ten, and that ranking might even be generous. The biggest surprise of the season has been Michigan's inability to stop the pass. Even against middle-of-the-MAC team Eastern Michigan, they surrendered well more than 300 yards through the air.

Cornerback Andre Weathers, projected as an all-Big Ten pick before the season, has struggled, to say the least. At the other corner, James Whitley has done the same. Safety Marcus Ray, of course, will be watching the game with Charles Woodson and some buddies.

Now, Bill Burke's struggles have been well-documented, but he seemed to find a comfort zone against Notre Dame. The Spartans' version of Drew Henson, freshman Ryan VanDyke, looked ready to step in until a shoulder sprain set him back. He still is less than 100-percent for this weekend's game.

Wide receiver Plaxico Burress, though, could be State's next big-time game breaking wideout, and if the past three weeks are any indication, he'll likely have his way with Michigan's defensive backs.

Edge: Michigan State

Special teams:

With the addition of superkicker Hayden Epstein, the Wolverines' kicking game got a shot in the arm (or leg?). Undoubtedly, the status of this area has improved since week one's debacle. Punter Jason Vinson's athleticism has salvaged more than a few shaky snaps, and if Justin Fargas is really as fast as he's supposed to be, the

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