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Michigan State Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

By Adam Zdroik

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 17: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans reacts on the sidelines during the second quarter of the college football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines 27-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 17: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans reacts on the sidelines during the second quarter of the college football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines 27-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 25: Head football coach Mark Dantonio leads his team onto the field prior to the start of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 25 , 2014 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 25: Head football coach Mark Dantonio leads his team onto the field prior to the start of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 25 , 2014 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

The Hoosiers are no longer an easy win on the schedule (as seen in last year’s meeting, a 24-21 IU win) and that’s the case here, even at home. Indiana has Penn State and Michigan in its two games prior, so it’s a decent spot for MSU.

Indiana is led by one of the few senior quarterbacks in the conference in Richard Lagow and he’s expected to make some strides after 19 touchdowns and 17 picks last season. His top receivers return (Nick Westbrook, Simmie Cobbs), but Devine Redding is gone from the backfield.

The biggest question for the Hoosiers this season may be new head coach Tom Allen, who steps in after serving as the defensive coordinator last year. Allen led Indiana to a solid year defensively, but even with seven starters returning, it won’t be easy to match the 27.2 points per game allowed.

If Michigan State wants to reach a bowl, this is the type of game it has to win. These teams were even last year in almost every facet of the game and the Hoosiers pulled out an overtime win. Brian Lewerke will need to show his stuff because Indiana won’t lay down for an easy win. The Spartans ran well in this game last year and will have to do so again with 200-plus yards on the ground being the best avenue to victory.

Score Prediction: Indiana 20, Michigan State 24 (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten)

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