Michigan State Football: Staff score predictions vs. Michigan in Week 8

Michigan State football is gearing up for one of the most important games against Michigan in the rivalry’s history. Who wins?

Can Michigan State make it 9-of-11 wins against Michigan? We shall see, ladies and gentlemen.

Not many fans of the green and white had predicted a road victory against then-No. 8 Penn State but Michigan State won and has restored faith in the Spartan fan base.

Prior to the Penn State game, Michigan State didn’t look dominant in its win over Central Michigan and was unimpressive in its homecoming loss against Northwestern. However, along with this rollercoaster of a season, here we are anxiously awaiting what some believe to be arguably one of the greatest and most underrated rivalries in all of college football.

With Michigan State already in possession of the Old Brass Spittoon and Land Grant Trophy, the Spartans look to maintain ownership of the Paul Bunyan Trophy with a victory over the Wolverines.

Few can, with a clear conscience, tell you that they know how this game is going to play out. However, luckily for you all, we will try and who knows, maybe we will be correct in our predictions when all is said and done.

Connor Muldowney: This may be the most intense of all rivalry games because there’s more on the line than there has been in recent years. With a win, Michigan State could make a statement in the Big Ten East and conversely, Michigan would take hold of first place, making Ohio State sweat it out until the final week. Shea Patterson will present a tough challenge to this Spartan defense, but it showed last week that it can contain a top-tier dual-threat and it’ll do so yet again. This will have the feel of one of those grind-it-out rivalry games with defense taking center stage and it all comes down to who can win the turnover and field position battles. Michigan State by a nose.

Final Score: Michigan 21, Michigan State 24

Ryan Kay: For whatever reason, I’m always surprised at the local and national media in giving so much bulletin material for the Spartans. I’m not here to say that bulletin material will in any way motivate the Spartans to beat the Wolverines. Players on the field determine the outcome of games, not outside factors such as bulletin material. However, it cannot hurt since Michigan State seems to play better with a chip on their shoulder. It started in the local media when a writer for the Detroit Free Press openly lobbied for fans to root for Michigan to win.

Then from the national media, 16 out of 16 of the ESPN writers predicted Michigan to beat Michigan State.

Even the computers at FOX Sports, where the game is simulated 501 times by their computers, computed Michigan beating Michigan State.

With all that wealth of information, why don’t we all predict Michigan to beat Michigan State? As ESPN’s Lee Corso has said time and time again, “Not so fast, my friend!” I’m making a bold prediction that goes against the general consensus

Final Score: Michigan 24, Michigan State 28

Justin Thind: MSU will find a way to generate three turnovers from Shea Patterson, including an early-game fumble and a second half red-zone interception. Michigan State will have trouble capitalizing on a lot of the good field position, as usual, but the Spartans will manage the game well and use the field-position battle to be in the game until the very end.

With Patterson fazed and the run-game being contained by MSU’s front-seven, Brian Lewerke will have the opportunity to lead another late game drive that will be capped with a TD.

Final Score: Michigan 17, Michigan State 20

Stephen Robb: Shea Patterson is not much of a runner but can run. Michigan State needs to contain him and slow down the Michigan ground attack. Force Michigan to beat them through the air and the Spartans will have a good chance to win.

Final Score: Michigan 21, Michigan State 27

The Wolverines are favored, but the Spartans are playing with that chip. Comment below with your score predictions for Saturday’s battle in East Lansing.