Michigan State vs. Western Michigan: 5 bold predictions

Oct 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio and running back Nick Hill (20) and defensive end Shilique Calhoun (89) take the field prior to a a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

3. Lawrence Thomas will have more sacks than Shilique Calhoun

While Shilique Calhoun will play a fine game and cause havoc in the backfield all night long, Lawrence Thomas, or LT, will be the one that actually gets to and brings the quarterback down in his own coming out party.

Related: MSU Football: 5 most underrated players

Thomas came in as a highly-touted recruit — a highly-rated four-star who may be the top-ranked player Dantonio ever got to come to East Lansing besides maybe William Gholston or Malik McDowell.

After injuries and several position changes LT will have his best year in a Spartan uniform and the game against Western will be the start of that journey. Thomas will end the night with three sacks and several more quarterback hurries while playing defensive end — his first season as a starting defensive end as he was a tackle last year.

With the Broncos concentrating on stopping Calhoun, sending an extra man his way, LT will take full advantage and be the talk of the announcers that night for living in the Western backfield. So much so that a “Lawrence Thomas should be paying rent” joke will most likely occur.

It will be a great start to the season for one of the most underrated players on the Spartans’ defense.

Next: 2. Josiah Price