Michigan State Football: Best, worst and most likely scenarios for 2021

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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 28: Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans loses control of the ball as he leaps over A.J. Hampton #11 of the Northwestern Wildcats during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 28, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

Worst-case scenario for Michigan State football

Now onto the worst-case scenario for the Spartans. This one won’t be pretty and it’ll, unfortunately, have fans doubting Mel Tucker in just his second year because, well, that’s the nature of the beast nowadays. If a coach struggles, social media pounces.

The schedule isn’t easy, by any means, so some of the games that you’d think are sure victories (like Rutgers) could end up as losses.

So in true worst-case scenario, pessimistic fashion, how would Michigan State’s 2021 season pan out?

A Week 1 loss to Northwestern in Evanston would obviously kick off this scenario and even if it’s the worst of the worst season, I can’t see the Spartans stumbling against Youngstown State the following weekend. Losses to Rutgers, Indiana, and Miami before the bye week would lead to a 3-4 start to the season because I can see Michigan State beating Western Kentucky and Nebraska.

The Spartans would come off the bye and lose to Michigan in East Lansing to really kick Tucker in the groin, starting the season 3-5. They would then split the Purdue/Maryland games before losing the final two games of the regular season to finish 4-8.

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