Michigan State Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Rutgers in 2020 opener

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Nov 24, 2018; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive end Jacub Panasiuk (96) prepares for the snap of the ball during the second half of a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

1. MSU holds Rutgers to just one touchdown

Rutgers, like Michigan State, doesn’t know who its quarterback is going to be. The Scarlet Knights are looking at Artur Sitkowski and Nebraska transfer Noah Vedral and fortunately for the Spartans, neither seems like a major threat, especially with the lack of legit weapons on offense.

Michigan State’s defense will show flashes of 2018 dominance on Saturday, holding the Scarlet Knights to just one touchdown and that score might actually come early on. Heck, the Scarlet Knights might actually take a 7-0 lead, but Scottie Hazelton and Co. will shut them down for the remainder of the game, holding Rutgers to just a couple of field goals.

Having Harlon Barnett back is going to be a major positive for the secondary as it will prove to be much-improved from last season, especially with Julian Barnett breaking out.

The Scarlet Knights will account for three turnovers and will just never look comfortable on offense as the Hazelton-led defense will have one heck of a debut.

Michigan State wins by two touchdowns while holding Rutgers to just one.

Next. Ranking MSU's 2020 opponents by toughness. dark

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