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Michigan State Football: 5 bold predictions vs. Michigan in Week 8

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans drops back to pass during the second quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans drops back to pass during the second quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 13: Shea Patterson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines looks to pass while playing the Wisconsin Badgers on October 13, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 38-13. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 13: Shea Patterson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines looks to pass while playing the Wisconsin Badgers on October 13, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 38-13. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3. Spartans hold Shea Patterson under 200 total yards

Just three times this season, Shea Patterson has passed for over 200 yards. Just once he has rushed for over 35 yards. Long story short, the Spartans should help continue that trend.

The Wolverines aren’t going to air it out 30-40 times on Saturday, pending a rare occurrence, so you can expect a 20-25 attempt game from Patterson. Moreover, the Spartans are coming off their best game of the season in the defensive backfield. They held Trace McSorley in check, under 200 passing yards and under 40 rushing yards. He is a more effective passer than Patterson and even a better runner.

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Michigan State will use that same game plan against Patterson and the Wolverines, holding him in check with just 20 rushing yards and 160 through the air.

The defense is gaining some steam and this defensive showing will make the Wolverines try to beat the Spartans with Karan Higdon, but based on how effective the run defense has been, that’d won’t go over well.

Patterson has had a good season and has been looked at as the “savior” on offense, but his impact will be minimal on Saturday.

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