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Michigan State Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2018

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans battles for yards past Manny Bowen #43 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 27-24. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans battles for yards past Manny Bowen #43 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 27-24. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 07: Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a first quarter turn over by the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Michigan 14-10.(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 07: Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a first quarter turn over by the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Michigan 14-10.(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Can you remember a matchup in this rivalry’s history that was more anticipated than the 2018 edition? The 2015 game was close, but this one could be off the charts in terms of intrigue. The Spartans have won eight out of 10 against the Wolverines and Mark Dantonio is 2-1 versus Jim Harbaugh. You can bet Michigan is sick of hearing that.

The Wolverines will come out firing with the top quarterback transfer in college football, Shea Patterson, leading the offense. They’ll finally have a viable quarterback under center, and that’s a scary thought. The offense line, though, could be a liability again.

Michigan State will get after Patterson early and often with plenty of blitz packages, sending Patterson running for his life. This will lead to a couple of crucial mistakes.

Defensively, both sides are stingy, to say the least. Michigan has one of the top-five defenses in college football and the Spartans have a top-10 unit. This could be another defensive battle like it was last season though both offenses have improved.

This will be a back-and-forth battle all game long, but Brian Lewerke will come up huge with a late touchdown pass to put the Wolverines away.

Another instant classic.

Final Score: Michigan 17, Michigan State 24 (6-1, 3-1)

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