Michigan State Football: Complete 2018 season preview, predictions
Schedule and predictions
WEEK | DATE | SCHOOL | OPPONENT |
1 | Aug. 31 | Michigan State | vs. Utah State |
2 | Sept. 8 | Michigan State | at Arizona State |
3 | Sept. 15 | BYE | WEEK |
4 | Sept. 22 | Michigan State | at Indiana |
5 | Sept. 29 | Michigan State | vs. Central Michigan |
6 | Oct. 6 | Michigan State | vs. Northwestern |
7 | Oct. 13 | Michigan State | at Penn State |
8 | Oct. 20 | Michigan State | vs. Michigan |
9 | Oct. 27 | Michigan State | vs. Purdue |
10 | Nov. 3 | Michigan State | at Maryland |
11 | Nov. 10 | Michigan State | vs. Ohio State |
12 | Nov. 17 | Michigan State | at Nebraska |
13 | Nov. 24 | Michigan State | vs. Rutgers |
The season kicks off slightly earlier than most of college football’s Power Five teams, but the Spartans will face off against Utah State. While this may seem like a cupcake, it’s won’t be that easy.
Must Read: MSU Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2018
Arizona State on the road presents some undesirable Pac-12 After Dark for the green and white, but as long as they can block out the crowd, Brian Lewerke will win in his homecoming.
An early bye sets up an away game at Indiana (not easy), and then a nice break with a home game against Central Michigan. Northwestern will be a revenge game for the Spartans in East Lansing and Penn State in Happy Valley could be the first loss of the year.
Oct. 20 is a big date to circle as Michigan comes to town. The Spartans haven’t beaten Michigan at home since 2014 and this could very well be a top-10 battle.
Purdue and Maryland should be layups before Ohio State, but the Boilermakers have shown great improvement under Jeff Brohm and Maryland has the talent to compete, but not on the biggest stages just yet.
Ohio State will be the toughest game of the year followed by a road contest at Nebraska — no one likes playing in Lincoln in front of that crowd.
Rutgers to close out the year is, well, confidence-boosting.
Prediction: 10-2 (7-2 Big Ten)
Michigan State will finish with another double-digit win season with its two losses coming in conference play against Ohio State and Penn State — despite what my bold predictions have said. The Spartans will be in the Big Ten East race until the end, but the Buckeyes will win the league and Michigan State will be on the edge of a New Year’s Six game.