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Michigan State Football: Preview, prediction vs. Arizona State

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - AUGUST 31: Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans scores a third quarter touchdown while playing the Utah State Aggies at Spartan Stadium on August 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 38-31. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - AUGUST 31: Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans scores a third quarter touchdown while playing the Utah State Aggies at Spartan Stadium on August 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 38-31. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football is set to hit the road to take on Arizona State in Week 2 and here’s everything you need to know for the matchup.

If you watched Michigan State in the opener and then took a gander at Arizona State’s matchup with UTSA, you probably felt like the Spartans might be in trouble heading into Week 2.

Must Read: MSU football: 5 bold predictions for September

Sure, the Sun Devils looked great in Herm Edwards’ debut as head coach, but the Roadrunners weren’t the toughest opponent. Conversely, the Spartans’ slim win at home against Utah State was less than impressive, but Mark Dantonio’s teams don’t usually reveal much in season openers and close games are the norm.

Heading into Week 2, the Spartans know they have to control the Arizona State offense in order to have a shot in the desert. Manny Wilkins had 237 yards passing and four touchdowns while N’Keal Harry, the team’s star wide out, had 140 yards receiving and two more scores.

The Sun Devils finished with just over 500 total yards while holding the Roadrunners to 218 passing yards and only three rushing yards on 33 carries. LJ Scott may have a tough day sledding if the offense line can’t get going.

Success for the green and white is definitely possible as UTSA’s defense is arguably mediocre and the offense was able to muster 18 first downs to Arizona State’s 21. Moreover, the Roadrunners were 7-for-18 on third down. Michigan State has the offensive firepower to make things tough on the Sun Devils.

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

Date: Saturday, Sept. 8
Time: 10:45 p.m. ET
Location: Tempe, Ariz.
Venue: Sun Devil Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN or FuboTV

Keys to Victory

On the offensive side of the ball, Michigan State needs to air it out a bit more than it did against Utah State. Sure, Brian Lewerke passed for nearly 300 yards, but the Spartans could have scored at will if they continued to take advantage of the Aggies’ shaky secondary. Arizona State doesn’t exactly have an elite passing defense, so Lewerke will need a big homecoming.

Defensively, limiting Manny Wilkins will be ideal. As long as Justin Layne can contain star wide out N’Keal Harry, the Spartans should be in good shape. The Spartans cannot get burned deep and they didn’t much against Utah State, so that trend must continue. Shut down that Wilkins and Harry connection and you’ll see a victorious Michigan State team.

Betting Odds

Courtesy of OddsShark

Line: Michigan State -6
Over/Under: 53

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Prediction

No one likes to watch their team hit the road for some Pac-12 After Dark action, especially since the Big Ten is 0-9 in Tempe all time, but Michigan State is going to flex some muscle late and hold on for a tough late-night win. It’ll be a back-and-forth battle and one that’ll have fans on the edge of their seats for 60 minutes, but a late interception by David Dowell will end the game. If your heart is still racing from the win over Utah State, I’d suggest taking this week off.

Final Score: Michigan State 35, Arizona State 31

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