Katin Houser made his first career start for Michigan State during Week 7’s game against Rutgers. While the Spartans would squander a great opportunity in the fourth quarter, Houser did play well on the road.

Now, the redshirt freshman is lined up to start Saturday’s in-state rivalry game vs. Michigan, and that start for Houser would carry some historical significance. According to MLive’s Matt Wenzel, Houser will be the first second-year Spartan QB to start against the Wolverines since Jeff Smoker in 2001.

Smoker recorded that start as a true sophomore, a game that included an upset of No. 6 Michigan as Smoker tossed a game-winning touchdown on the final play of the game.

Houser is certainly young without a lot of experience, and he’ll be going up against one of the best defenses in the country. In the loss to Rutgers, Houser went 18-for-29 for 133 yards passing and 3 total touchdowns.

As a +24 home underdog, Houser might hope for a bit of beginner’s luck in the rivalry as the Spartans try to reclaim the Paul Bunyan Trophy. Fans looking to get in on the action can use our DraftKings Michigan promo code to get started!