Michigan State Football: 5 bold predictions for Rutgers battle in Week 13

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LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Rocky Lombardi #12 of the Michigan State Spartans runs from linebacker Dedrick Young II #5 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

2. Rocky Lombardi has career day

For the sake of Brian Lewerke, the coaching staff will likely sit the junior starter once again in lieu of redshirt freshman Rocky Lombardi. It’s a move that hasn’t come without criticism on all ends this season, but the staff will make the right decision to rest a less-than-100 percent Lewerke.

Lombardi could use a confidence boost himself. He’s coming off a rough game against Nebraska in which his receivers couldn’t seem to hold on to the ball even when it was place right between the numbers. Those are things that drive quarterbacks crazy, but the freshman kept his cool and continued to air it out.

That never-quit attitude will pay off against Rutgers as he’ll have an opportunity to gain some of that confidence back.

The long locks of Lombardi will be flying all around the field on Saturday as he’ll rush for over 50 yards and pass for over 250, leading to the best game of his career — surpassing his Purdue performance.

And get this, he’ll complete 65 percent of his throws.

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