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Michigan State Football: Final score predictions vs. Notre Dame

By Connor Muldowney

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 17: Torii Hunter Jr. #16 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish catches a pass in front of Tyson Smith #15 of the Michigan State Spartans during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on September 17, 2016 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan State defeated Notre Dame 36-28. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 17: Torii Hunter Jr. #16 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish catches a pass in front of Tyson Smith #15 of the Michigan State Spartans during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on September 17, 2016 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan State defeated Notre Dame 36-28. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football faces off against rival Notre Dame for the last time until 2026. Who does our staff think will win?

Coming off two straight victories to start the season, Michigan State football is hoping to make it three after a bye week and Notre Dame next up on the schedule. Saturday night’s contest against the Fighting Irish is sure to be one of the best games of Week 4.

Must Read: MSU Recruiting: 5 bold predictions for September

Notre Dame is 2-1 on the season with a one-point loss to Georgia, but the Irish have a couple of blowout wins over Temple and Boston College. Will the Fighting Irish give the Spartans a tough time? It will be the Spartans’ toughest test to date.

Let’s take a look at our staff score predictions for Saturday’s game.

Connor Muldowney: This one is going to be close, just like most of the games in the rivalry. The Spartans will get on the board first thanks to an LJ Scott 15-yard run, but Notre Dame and Brandon Wimbush will answer right back. This will be a back-and-forth affair and whoever has the ball last will come out on top. In fact, I’ll say Michigan State sets up for a 37-yard game-winning field goal with the score tied 24-24 and five seconds left. Matt Coghlin will have his first heroic moment as Michigan State’s kicker.

Final: Notre Dame 24, Michigan State 27

Stephen Robb: Notre Dame comes to East Lansing in what will likely be the last time Mark Dantonio and Brian Kelly square off with one another because the two do play each other for awhile. Kelly has made the Irish competitive, however, his sideline and post-game antics have many wondering how long he will remain the head coach.

It is difficult to judge just how good the Irish really are. They lost to Georgia by one possession — excuse me, I mean one point (thanks to Kelly for that). It still remains to be seen if the Bulldogs are any good themselves. The same can said about the Michigan State Spartans because since they have only been challenged by MAC schools.

The Irish’s Brandon Wimbush presents tough challenge because he can run better than DeShone Kizer did last year, but Wimbush is not the passer that Kizer was. The Spartan defensive line will have to step up and keep Wimbush in the pocket because he completes just over 50 percent of his passes.

Michigan State’s Brian Lewerke will have to cut down on the turnovers, but also make plays for the Spartans. In a tight game late, I give the edge to MSU.

Final: Notre Dame 24, Michigan State 27

Adam Zdroik: The Irish are favored, yet that doesn’t mean much because they’re just a more popular team on a national level. Playing in East Lansing under the lights, the defensive line will be the key for the Spartans and if Notre Dame struggles to run, that will open up for a close win led by Brian Lewerke.

Final: Notre Dame 21, Michigan State 27

Michael Briggs: Is Michigan State’s defense as stout as it has appeared in its first two games? We’ll find out Saturday when the Spartans get their first test against a Power Five caliber opponent in rival Notre Dame. The Irish pounded Boston College into the ground to the tune of 500-plus rushing yards last week, with elusive quarterback Brandon Wimbush adding 207 yards and four touchdowns on his own. While Boston College certainly doesn’t feature the most imposing unit up front, that’s impressive.

The Spartans, meanwhile, have been strong against the run thus far and, with an extra week of preparation, should be up for the task. They will force Wimbush to try to beat them with his arm.

Next: MSU Football: 5 takeaways from first two weeks of 2017

For me, this game comes down to the play of MSU quarterback Brian Lewerke. The redshirt sophomore has been pretty good at limiting turnovers in the Spartans’ first two games, but he has also looked a bit too cautious at times. Michigan State obviously wants him to be smart with the football, but a little more swagger will be necessary to take down the Irish. A primetime night game at Spartan Stadium after a week off should do the trick.

Final: Notre Dame 17, Michigan State 24

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