We’re just a few days away from one of the biggest games in the B1G this season. And people are already making their picks.

Usually, we wait until late Saturday morning before Kirk Herbstreit unveils his selections for some of the biggest matchups of the week. But this time, the college football analyst decided to make a prediction prior to College GameDay.

On the Herbstreit and Fitzsimmons Podcast, Herbstreit made his pick for the Michigan-Michigan State game and provided an explanation behind his selection.

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He’s going with the Wolverines. And Shea Patterson is a huge reason why.

“They’re starting to peak at the right time,” Herbstreit said. “A lot of people watched their game a week ago. I had their game against Wisconsin. Jim Harbaugh, I think, finally has a quarterback. That’s the reality. People want to critique Jim. I’ll defend him and say, in fairness to him, their quarterback position has really hurt them with turnovers. Now he’s got a quarterback in Shea Patterson to compliment the physicality in the run game and you throw in Don Brown and that defense. Man, this is a different felling Michigan team than what we’ve seen in years past.”

Michigan has looked much better offensively than any other season under Harbaugh. Patterson has thrown for 1,311 yards, 10 touchdowns and just three interceptions while completing passes at a 68 percent clip.

Herbstreit did say that the one looming question is whether the Wolverines can play well on the road.

“The two times they’ve been away from Ann Arbor was a loss to open the season against Notre Dame when they looked terrible,” Herbstreit said. “And then just a few weeks ago, they went over to Evanston and looked very bad for two-and-a-half quarters until they finally turned on to win that game by three. I personally Michigan will go on the road, even though Michigan State has had their way with them, I think they’re getting better. Their defense will give them the ball in plus territory. I think Shea Patterson and that running game will make enough plays. I think Michigan will win that game.”

Michigan State has won eight of the last 11 meetings but lost the last matchup in East Lansing 32-23.