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Michigan State Football: Way-too-early 2018 preview vs. Utah State

By Stephen Robb

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans looks on while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans looks on while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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This is a way-too-early preview of Michigan State football’s matchup with Utah State. On paper, the Spartans have the upper hand, but we’ll look at it in-depth.

This is a way-too-early preview because there still may be changes in the depth chart, injuries or unforeseen departures. Utah State was 6-7 in 2017 while Michigan State was 10-3. The Aggies are coached by Matt Wells and his record there is 34-32 — they were 10-4 in 2014, but stumbled in 2016 and finished 3-9 like MSU did.

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The Aggies’ quarterback is Jordan Love who took over early last season as a redshirt freshman and rallied Utah State to bowl eligibility. The offense reminded me of some things that Oregon ran against the Spartans when they played each other in 2014 and 2015. They run a lot of RPOs and considering Love was getting used to the offense last season, I expect him to be even better going into the 2018 campaign with a year under his belt.

Moreover, Love tossed eight touchdowns and threw six picks with 1,377 yards last season. He had a few games where he rushed for over 40 yards, but Michigan State should be able to shut him down.

I would expect Utah State to watch that Oregon film and have a game plan of passing to the running back out of the backfield. The swing pass that Oregon was doing on MSU in those games crushed the defense even though the Spartans won the second contest.

The Aggies did not have a 1,000-yard rusher last season. This matchup is not good for the Aggies, however, if the Spartans do not take them seriously then it could end up being a close game. Utah State did not perform well last year against Power Five foes, getting blown out by MSU’s Big Ten West rival Wisconsin.

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Prediction: Michigan State 49, Utah State 10. MSU will get up on the Aggies early and put it in cruise control in the second half, giving the second and third-teamers some much-needed playing time.

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