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Michigan State Football: Preview, prediction vs. Minnesota in Week 7

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Tyriq Thompson #17 of the Michigan State Spartans leads the team onto the field prior to the start of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Tyriq Thompson #17 of the Michigan State Spartans leads the team onto the field prior to the start of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football will be taking on Minnesota on Saturday evening and here’s everything you need to know.

Saturday’s Michigan State football game is considered a trap as the Spartans will travel to Minnesota to take on a hungry Gophers team that has lost two straight to begin conference play. Michigan State is coming off its biggest win of the season, so there’s worry that a hangover will take place.

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 takeaways from victory over Michigan

Minnesota doesn’t have much of an offense, averaging just 359 yards per game, but the Spartans haven’t had much of a scoring attack, either. Michigan State is averaging a measly 22 points per game, and that must change moving forward.

Defensively, Michigan State is ranked No. 4 in the country, allowing about 258 yards per game and Minnesota is giving up just over 300. However, the Gophers will be without star safety, and top defensive player, Antoine Winfield Jr.

Can Michigan State stave off an upset and take down the Golden Gophers in their second road game of the season? Here’s everything you need to know for the contest.

Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s Michigan State football game:

Date: Saturday, Oct. 14
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
Venue: TCF Bank Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network
Live Stream: BTN2Go

Keys to Victory

Offensively, the Spartans need to figure out a way to get the ground game going. Against Michigan’s No. 1 run defense, the Spartans accounted for 158 yards on 4.0 per carry and they’ll need to have more success against a stout Minnesota run-stopping unit. The Gophers allow just 114 yards per game on the ground, but Michigan State will need to get LJ Scott, Madre London and Gerald Holmes more involved. This will pay dividends in the long run.

Defensively, it’ll be up to the defensive line to get pressure on Conor Rhoda who has been sacked just once this season. The senior quarterback isn’t the most accurate, completing about 55 percent of his throws for 786 yards, five touchdowns and four picks. Pressure on Rhoda could lead to more errant throws and we know how successful MSU can be when it wins the turnover battle.

Betting Odds

Odds via SportsBook Review

Line: Michigan State -3.5
Over/Under: 40.5

Next: MSU Football: 5 bold predictions for October

Prediction

This has all the makings of a trap or letdown game, but Mark Dantonio has had his teams prepared after big wins since he’s been head coach in East Lansing. The Spartans will remain focused and continue to impress, beating Minnesota on the road for their second win away from home on the season. There will be some shaky play early on, but the Spartans will settle in and take care of business — especially defensively. And hey, Michigan State will finally have a 100-yard rusher, but who?

Final Score: Michigan State 27, Minnesota 17

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