Michigan State Football: Staff score predictions for Holiday Bowl vs. Washington State
The 2017 Holiday Bowl could provide Michigan State football its 10th win after going 3-9 last year. Here are our staff score predictions versus Wazzu.
Michigan State probably wasn’t expecting to reach the Holiday Bowl after winning nine games and vaulting to No. 16 in the final College Football Playoff rankings. The Spartans were expecting a New Year’s Day bowl, but that didn’t quite work out.
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Don’t knock the Holiday Bowl, though, as this is one of the few Top 25 matchups outside of the New Year’s Six and playoff games. It provides plenty of intrigue and matches up two teams with somewhat similar paths to the postseason — although Washington State’s 2016 season wasn’t nearly as disastrous.
The Spartan Avenue staff weighs in on the potential outcome in Thursday evening’s Holiday Bowl.
Connor Muldowney: Washington State hasn’t played many defenses like the one Michigan State will throw at it on Thursday night. The Cougars are going to have a tough time scoring at will against the Spartans, even if Luke Falk is healthy. If he’s not healthy, this game could get out of hand. Michigan State will have no trouble stopping the Cougars’ run game and, conversely, LJ Scott will have a big day for the Spartans in potentially his last game in the green and white.
Final Score: Washington State 24, Michigan State 34
Adam Zdroik: Michigan State has moved to a favorite leading up to the game meaning it’s getting a lot of the money. That’s only a good sign for the Spartans, although this one will come down to the end. The Cougars will pass on almost every down, but won’t have their top two pass catchers. That could be a problem and so could their defense against MSU’s balanced attack. The Spartans will control the game with LJ Scott and Brian Lewerke will push them over the top to get the win.
Final Score: Washington State 27, Michigan State 31
Michael Briggs: It’s no shocker that Michigan State’s 2017 bounce back season coincided with the resurgence of the “Spartan Dawg” defense. How well that MSU defense plays against Washington State’s prolific offense will likely determine the final outcome of the Spartans’ season. MSU will give up some points, but to avoid a result similar to the tough loss it suffered to Northwestern, it will need to force a couple turnovers and limit big plays by making tackles in space. MSU’s offense should keep them in the game with a mix of ground-and-pound and passing and I expect the Spartans’ defense to rise to the occasion in the game’s critical moments, leading MSU to its 100th victory under Dantonio.
Final Score: Washington State 24, Michigan State 28
Stephen Robb: The Michigan State Spartans’ secondary will have their hands full in this game, however, Washington State is a team in turmoil. Coach Mike Leach was rumored at the end of the season as being a candidate for the Arkansas job and then there was almost opportunity at Tennessee. Now his defensive coordinator is rumored to be on the move to be an Ohio State assistant.
All of this and WSU had to suspend their top two receivers. Quarterback Luke Faulk had an up and down season. He looked great for the most part, turning in gems against teams like USC but then he had mental breakdowns against Washington and Cal the later he threw five interceptions.
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The Spartans’ offense will have its hands full with Hercules Mata’afa. He has been a beast at linebacker and will make it difficult for MSU to run the football. Michigan State is going to try to run the ball and it will find minimal running lanes. Brian Lewerke will need to have another 300-plus passing yardage game for Michigan State to win. MSU wins a close entertaining game
Final Score: Washington State 38, Michigan State 45