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Michigan State Football: Post-spring 2019 game-by-game predictions

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans tries to get around the tackle of Jeffrey Okudah #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes after a first half catch at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans tries to get around the tackle of Jeffrey Okudah #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes after a first half catch at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 05: Felton Davis III #18 of the Michigan State Spartans runs the ball during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated Michigan State 31-27. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 05: Felton Davis III #18 of the Michigan State Spartans runs the ball during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated Michigan State 31-27. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

It’s been three years since Michigan State last saw Illinois and Spartan fans are still trying to forget that ugly 31-27 loss which added to the pain of a 3-9 season.

The Illini weren’t good then and they are just about on the same page heading into the 2019 season with Lovie Smith still in charge. They have landed a few USC transfers, but will they truly make a difference between 3-5 wins to 7-8? Probably not.

Michigan State will dominate this one from start to finish and reach that seven-win total that it had all of last season. The Illini won’t have an answer for the Spartans’ stifling defense as they’ll be held to just 250 total yards and one score while Michigan State’s offense will go off.

light. Related Story. MSU Football: 5 areas of concern after spring ball

Brian Lewerke will have himself a day and we’ll see Rocky Lombardi in the fourth quarter. Matt Dotson will have his best game of the season, topping 100 yards receiving, while Anthony Williams Jr. will have his first 100-yard rushing game as a Spartan.

The game will be topped off by three interceptions — two by Josiah Scott and one by Xavier Henderson — which will add to an impressive amount on the season, ranking the Spartans in the top-10 nationally in that statistical category.

Final Score: Illinois 7, Michigan State 34 (7-2, 4-2)

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