Michigan expects to have Vincent Smith, Stephen Hopkins back for MSU game

Michigan Wolverines running back Vincent Smith and fullback Stephen Hopkins are expected to play against Michigan State on Saturday, according to head coach Brady Hoke (via MLive's Nick Baumgardner).

Smith sat out against Illinois while nursing a hamstring injury, although Hoke thinks Smith would have been okay had he played:

"He should be fine. He was better (Sunday). I think, as much as anything, it was really precautionary -- we held him back. I think he would have tried to go."

Smith, a senior from Pahokee, Fla., has rushed 19 times for 61 yards and a touchdown this season. His best year as a Wolverine came in 2010, when he ran for 601 yards and five touchdowns, and caught 15 balls for 130 yards and two scores.

Hopkins has not played since Michigan's win over Air Force in the second week of the season. He has yet to carry the ball this year, but rushed 48 times for 194 yards and four touchdowns during the previous two seasons.

Smith, Hopkins and the No. 23 Wolverines are scheduled to kickoff against their in-state rivals at 3:30 p.m. ET.