Michigan State Football: 5 bold predictions for October 2017

Michigan State football enters the month of October with higher expectations and here are five bold predictions for the Spartans.

It’s always nice to be able to adjust expectations heading into a new month. Coming into the 2017 season, Michigan State football fans didn’t know what to expect from the team. The Spartans had just stumbled through a 3-9 season and lost plenty of potential contributors in the offseason. The expectations were minimal — a lot of 5-7 or 6-6 talk.

However, after a 3-1 start to the season, the Spartans have forced fans to adjust the lens a bit. Michigan State is no longer a pushover for opponents, but rather it has gotten back to the basics with hard-nosed defense and an improved offense.

There’s a tough slate of games approaching in October, but fans remain optimistic. Here are five bold predictions for Mark Dantonio and Co. in the month of October.

5. Spartans will own Big Ten’s best run defense

Heading into October, Michigan State is the proud owner of the Big Ten’s third-best rushing defense. The Spartans trail only Michigan and Wisconsin who happen to be in the nation’s top-five in terms of rushing defense.

By the end of October, Michigan State will surpass each of those teams and become the top rushing defensive squad in the Big Ten. No, that doesn’t mean the Spartans will also be tops in the nation (where Michigan currently is), but the Spartan run defense has been a major bright spot so far and that will continue.

Michigan has a solid run game, so that will be a true test for this defense on Oct. 7, but they stymied Josh Adams and Akrum Wadley, so the Spartans are no stranger to top-tier backs. Holding Chris Evans and Ty Isaac in check will be tough, but possible.

Minnesota has Rodney Smith, but he’s struggled a bit this year and will do so again versus an improved MSU front-seven. Indiana is relying on a freshman in Morgan Ellison which doesn’t bode well for the Hoosiers and Justin Jackson had a monster game against MSU in 2016 so don’t think the Spartans aren’t seeking revenge.

It won’t be easy, but this run defense will continue to rise the ranks.