Before one can get to third-ranked Michigan, the seventh-ranked Spartans have to get by… Rutgers.

As Michigan and Michigan State prepare to renew their annual rivalry, both ranked in the top 10, they also stand atop the standings at the midpoint of the Big Ten season.

ESPN's matchup predictor, which offers a prediction model based on its college basketball power index (BPI) and other variables, gives Clemson an 88.8% chance to win and Pittsburgh an 11.2% chance.