Michigan State was a significant favorite over Michigan and they swaggered onto the Spartan Stadium turf like they were about to mop the floor with the Wolverines.

There was a lot of payback that the Spartans were about to administer. Michigan beat Michigan State 45-37 in triple overtime last season and John L. Smith had not recorded a victory in his previous two matchups with Michigan.

Since the Wolverines offense was struggling and the defense clearly would not be able to stop QB Drew Stanton, this was going to be a convincing win for the Spartans.

The script did not get delivered to Ann Arbor. Michigan State's prolific offense got off to a slow start as Stanton was just a tad sloppy.

The Wolverines offense got a huge lift from the return of RB Mike Hart, who ran for 216 yards and a touchdown. His presence made life much easier for QB Chad Henne, who riddled the vulnerable Michigan State secondary. Henne completed 26-of-35 passes for 256 yards with three TDs and just one pick.

Smith had to know the Spartans were in trouble in the first quarter. After Henne had hit Jason Avant with a two-yard TD pass for the opening score of the game, he found Mario Manningham 1:20 later with a sensational 43-yard TD pass. On the play, Manningham made a beautiful double-move that left Spartan CB Jaren Hayes searching for a safe place to hide.

The Spartans may have been in trouble, but they responded beautifully and tied the game at 21-21 by halftime. After Michigan took a 31-24 lead in the fourth quarter, the defense tied the game with a dramatic play. DE Clifton Ryan chased Henne down and knocked the ball loose and DT Domata Peko picked up the bouncing ball at the Spartan 26 and ran 74 yards for a touchdown. The play survived a long review and pushed the game into overtime.

On the first possession, Michigan held the Spartans and John Goss attempted a 37-yard field goal that sailed off course. Michigan played conservatively on its possession and won the game 34-31 when Garrett Rivas hit his 37-yard attempt.

The Spartans were once again heartbroken after the game as Smith's frustrations vs. the Wolverines continue. Michigan State will have a week off before venturing into the lion's den at Ohio State on Oct. 15.

KEEP AN EYE ON: WR Kerry Reed -- He demonstrated remarkable speed when he took a quick screen pass in the second quarter and raced 61 yards for a TD in the second quarter. Reed ate up huge chunks of turf with each stride and the Spartans need to get him the ball often.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's a good thing because we can look back at our first half of the season and see what we're doing well and see what we need to improve on. We can get guys rested up." -- DE Clifton Ryan on Michigan State's bye week before playing at Ohio State Oct. 15.

-- RB Jason Teague -- Life is not easy for Teague as freshman Javon Ringer has been anointed as a star for the Spartans. Nevertheless, Teague was very tough on the Wolverines with 72 yards on eight carries.

-- QB Drew Stanton -- He may not have had his best game, but Stanton is the focus of the opposing defense every week. He had a slow start vs. Michigan but still completed 20-of-30 passes for 282 yards with one TD and one interception.

STILL NEEDS SOME WORK: The Spartans seemed ill-prepared to handle their role as favorites vs. arch-rival Michigan. They lacked poise through much of the first half and that allowed the Wolverines to run out to a significant lead. While they were able to come back, Michigan dictated the pace for most of the game.

--PK John Goss -- Missed his 37-yard FG attempt on the Spartans' possession in overtime. That allowed Michigan to play conservatively and win the game when Garrett Rivas hit his 37-yard attempt to end the game. He also missed a 23-yard chip shot in the fourth quarter.

-- Spartans pass defense -- The secondary got hit hard early by Michigan QB Chad Henne and the defensive backs could not cover the precise moves of the Michigan wide receivers. This is an area that is likely to dog the Spartans the rest of the season.

ROSTER REPORT: OLB David Herron returned from the concussion he suffered vs. Illinois Sept. 24. He had a team-high 13 tackles and added one TFL. ... Goss had a knee problem prior to the Michigan game, but he did not use that as an excuse after missing 2-of-3 FG attempts vs. Michigan.