Michigan State Football: 3 bold predictions vs. No. 8 Northwestern

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Michigan State’s Payton Thorne looks to the sideline before a play against Indiana during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.201114 Msu Indiana 188a /

2. Payton Thorne starts, out-duels Peyton Ramsey

The battle of the Pa(e)ytons will take place in Spartan Stadium on Saturday. Payton Thorne will get the nod for the Spartans after it was pretty clear that Rocky Lombardi is not the future of this offseason (just look at what he did vs. Iowa and Indiana) while Indiana transfer Peyton Ramsey will be starting on the other side for Northwestern.

The Wildcats have had hit-or-miss quarterbacks over the past couple of years and Ramsey has definitely been a positive influence on the offense.

However, Ramsey isn’t exactly putting up huge numbers. He hasn’t passed for more than 212 yards in a single game this season and that could play into the Spartans’ favor. He’s attempted more than 30 passes three times and still has barely broken 200 yards in those contests. That shows that Northwestern likes to dink-and-dunk.

Thorne, on the other hand, will take some shots against this Northwestern defense because, well, what does he have to lose?

The Spartan freshman will win the quarterback battle with 230 yards and two touchdowns on 65 percent completions while Ramsey will have 180 yards and a score.

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