Does Michigan State football play this week? No, they do not -- which means their extended losing streak will remain in place for at least another week.

The Spartans are on a bye this week, providing an extra week of rest and preparation for arguably their biggest matchup of the year against rival Michigan. Michigan State travels to Ann Arbor, Mich. next Saturday for their annual rivalry game for the Paul Bunyan Trophy.

Michigan State entered this bye week in search of their first conference win and first victory since week two of the season. The Spartans have lost six straight games and fallen to 2-6 overall and 0-5 in Big Ten play.

The long losing streak for the Spartans can be somewhat tied to their inability to stay healthy this season. Michigan State hopefully will benefit from the bye week to get some of their key players back against the Wolverines, including starting quarterback Alessio Milivojevic and starting running back Jaziun Patterson who both missed the last game vs. UCLA.

Kickoff time for next week's matchup between Michigan and Michigan State will be announced on Saturday night. Stay tuned with Spartans Wire for additional preview coverage for this upcoming rivalry matchup.