Michigan State Football: 5 bold predictions for Purdue matchup in Week 9

Michigan State football will play host to a red-hot Purdue team in Week 9 but can the Spartans overcome a plethora of injuries?

Can this season just be over already? No, I’m not talking about giving up on Michigan State football, but rather getting everyone healthy for next season.

A three-loss Big Ten team isn’t going to challenge for any conference titles nor playoff or New Year’s Six appearances, but there are still plenty of bowls to fight for. The Spartans can’t throw in the towel on the 2018 season just because of a shocking rash of injuries, rather they must get back out there and make things happen with a banged up unit.

The Spartans will host a red-hot Purdue team on Saturday afternoon, looking to get on track and veer the 2018 season back toward relevancy.

Let’s get bold ahead of this crucial Week 9 matchup.

5. Spartans score a defensive TD

For some reason — maybe it’s because Brian Lewerke will be out — this game has the feel of a defensive battle. The Spartans won’t have much offense without their starting quarterback healthy and the Boilermakers will be held in check by an improving MSU defense.

This will lead to some mistakes from each side trying to change things up on the offensive side of the ball. David Blough has been incredible this season but he’ll face a bump in the road on Saturday.

In fact, the Spartans will flash things back to the first few weeks of the 2013 season when the defense was scoring all the points. Michigan State’s offense will have a tough time reaching the end zone, so the defense will take matters into their own hands, picking off a first-half Blough pass and returning it to the end zone.

Justin Layne will find pay dirt, his second career pick-six.