ANN ARBOR - Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham predicted the Wolverines would beat rival Michigan State.

He basically guaranteed it following the Wolverines' loss the previous week to Penn State.

It didn't happen.

The Spartans defeated UM 35-21 yesterday for their first win over their in-state foe since 2001 and first at the Big House since 1990.

"What do you want me to say? We were going to lose?" Graham said. "I felt confident my team had my back [when] I guaranteed the win. I'm not going to take it back. I still believe we should've won the game."

Following UM's 46-17 loss to the Nittany Lions on Oct. 18, Graham said: "I don't think we're going to ever lose to [Michigan] State. I'm feeling like we're not going to lose to [Michigan] State. We're going to work hard, we're going to win."

At least Graham backed up his words with his own play yesterday. He tied a season high with three of the Wolverines' five sacks and had four total tackles.

Linebacker Obi Ezeh led UM with 10 stops.

"This one stings a little deeper than usual," Ezeh said of the loss. "You really want to win this game, especially this year with the way the season has been going. We wanted this win, and it stings deep."

DIFFERENT OPTIONS: Freshman cornerback Boubacar Cissoko rotated at cornerback yesterday with senior Morgan Trent - a move coach Rich

Rodriguez said was by design and was made for "production."

The Wolverines also planned to play freshman Mike Williams more at safety, but a concussion suffered early in the game forced Williams out.

"If the kids are making plays in practice, you play [them]," defensive coordinator Scott Shafer said. "There's other kids we've tried to put in at times [where] the result was not as good, so you keep playing [the starters] and try to rotate [others] in."

MCGUFFIE OUT: Freshman running back Sam McGuffie fumbled in the first quarter after he was hit in the head and did not return.

McGuffie gained seven yards before he was hit and fumbled and was on the ground for a few minutes before UM's training staff helped him to his feet.

Brandon Minor started over McGuffie for the second straight week and rushed for 55 yards and a second-quarter touchdown on 15 carries. Throw in his disputed 19-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter, and Minor scored five consecutive touchdowns for the Wolverines dating back to their loss to Toledo on Oct. 11.

NO HUDDLE: Whitmer High graduate and UM freshman tight end Kevin Koger had two catches for 41 yards. … The Wolverines, at 2-6, need to win out just to become bowl eligible and hope six wins are enough to keep alive their streak of 33 consecutive bowl appearances. … Safety Stevie Brown sacked Spartans quarterback Brian Hoyer, forced him to fumble, and recovered the fumble to set up Minor's first touchdown. Brown also tied a career high with eight tackles. … Linebacker John Thompson blocked a field-goal attempt in the second quarter. … Three of UM's final four games this year are on the road. The Wolverines' home finale is Nov. 15 against Northwestern.

-Joe Vardon