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Michigan State football has plenty to prove in Week 1 vs. Tulsa

By Connor Muldowney

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans walks on the field with the team before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans walks on the field with the team before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football opens the season with Tulsa and even though the Spartans are heavily favored, they have plenty to prove.

It seems like we’ve waited an eternity for the start of the 2019 season. After a rough 2018 season which resulted in just seven wins and an ugly Redbox Bowl defeat, the Spartans open the 2019 campaign with elevated expectations and the hope that everyone stays healthy.

Brian Lewerke suffered a shoulder injury early in the year and LJ Scott missed extended time while Felton Davis III tore his Achilles, the offensive line never stayed healthy and Josiah Scott also sat out a while, so the 2018 season was basically a nightmare from stat to finish. The injury bug bit hard, but the offense was stale regardless.

With changes to the coaching staff, in terms of roles, the Spartans hope to ride Brad Salem to victory in his first action as offensive coordinator. The defense, as always, is elite and will be for as long as Mike Tressel is the coordinator.

Tulsa comes to East Lansing after a horrid 3-9 campaign, looking for answers. The Golden Hurricane are already at a disadvantage because they don’t have a quarterback named yet and they’re unsure of how to prepare for Michigan State’s offense which will look completely different.

To top it all off, they had mediocre numbers in just about every statistical category last year but passing yards allowed and rushing yards per game. Unfortunately for the Golden Hurricane, Michigan State has the best run defense in the land. It could be a long day for Corey Taylor II and Shamari Brooks.

Here’s how you can watch Friday’s Michigan State vs. Tulsa game:

Date: Friday, Aug. 30
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, Mich.
Venue: Spartan Stadium
TV: FS1
Live Stream: FOX Sports GO

Keys to Victory

Get Lewerke going early. If you get his confidence back in Week 1, that will work wonders for the rest of the season. Sure, establishing the run game and finding a true No. 1 back is important, but Lewerke’s progress takes center stage here. He’s facing a secondary that ranked top 10 in yards allowed last season nationally, so a good game will go a long way.

On defense, the Spartans must force three-and-outs on a regular basis as to avoid getting worn down the by the Golden Hurricane up-tempo attack. This happened against Utah State a year ago and in order to combat that, forcing turnovers and three-and-outs will be key. It’s easier said than done, but not getting nickel-and-dimed down the field and forcing Tulsa to take deep shots will be important. Don’t allow any quick routes sneak open and shut down the run game.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of Bovada

Line: Michigan State -23
Over/under: 48

Next. MSU Football: Ranking 2019 opponents by difficulty. dark

Prediction

Michigan State will come out swinging while not revealing too much as Tulsa can’t be the subject of the entire new-look offense. Lewerke will have a big game and the Spartans will have at least one 100-yard rusher and the defense won’t allow a single touchdown — the only score will be surrendered as a fumble recovery for a touchdown. All-in-all, the Spartans win in convincing fashion to kick off the 2019 season.

Final Score: Tulsa 13, Michigan State 38

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