Michigan State Football: One bold prediction for each 2020 game
![Michigan State running back Elijah Collins makes a catch before the Ohio State game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019.10052019 Msuosu Pregame 8 Michigan State running back Elijah Collins makes a catch before the Ohio State game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019.10052019 Msuosu Pregame 8](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e5a12c633f782ded97982370ea68a2b7c51bd415c9e2235832c82d6ddfad679e.jpg)
Prediction: Elijah Collins approaches 200 yards rushing
Opening the season against one of the worst teams in the country is a good way to record the first win of the Mel Tucker era and I think Michigan State will do just that. But that’s not a bold prediction. No, this one is all about Elijah Collins.
The sophomore running back will pick up where he left off in 2019, rushing for nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns against the Scarlet Knights’ porous defense. He’s going to average about 7.2 yards per carry and he’ll look like one of the best running backs in the conference again.
Prediction: Game decided by one touchdown
Picking up that first win against Rutgers will be important for the sake of momentum and confidence and I think we’ll see that carry over into a matchup with Michigan on Halloween.
The Spartans are going to be major underdogs in this one, potentially approaching three-touchdown underdog status, but don’t sleep on Mel Tucker and Co. to be motivated to pull off an upset here. Just because Mark Dantonio is gone doesn’t mean hate week has lost its luster.
Michigan State is going to surprise Michigan here and keep this one much closer than it was in 2019. This one will be decided by just one touchdown and I think the Wolverines will notch that close win.