Michigan State Football: 10 post-spring bold predictions for 2019 season
![SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 28: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans eludes Dylan Hanser #33 of the Washington State Cougars on a run play during the second half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 28: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans eludes Dylan Hanser #33 of the Washington State Cougars on a run play during the second half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/4efefcbd0dbb2b3b4c4f1828ed70c300b3bfe44d3d794f3dad5520c52ae57717.jpg)
4. Beat Michigan in Ann Arbor
This might actually be the boldest of all the predictions, but Michigan State just seems to get up for this game each year and a major reason for that is Mark Dantonio.
Without the head coach’s burning passion to beat his biggest rival, the Spartans would perform like they did in the John L. Smith and Bobby Williams days — defeated and lifeless. Luckily, Dantonio’s hatred for Michigan rubs off on his players and they’ve won games in this rivalry before that looked like locks for the Wolverines — just look at 2017.
Brian Lewerke and the Spartan offense will march into Ann Arbor and play one of their most motivated games of the season, downing the Wolverines in the Big House.
It’ll be another close game between these two and it could very well come down to the final minutes, but Michigan State won’t need a botched punt this time. In fact, it’ll be a late Lewerke touchdown pass to Matt Dotson to seal the win and send the Spartans home with Paul Bunyan.