Michigan State Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Miami in Week 3

Hey, guess what? Michigan State football is fun again.

After a few years of what seemed like bottomless dread as Saturdays approached, Mel Tucker has brought energy and excitement back to the program. It started with a couple of ranked wins last season and has carried over into a 2-0 start with a couple of blowout wins to begin 2021.

Now Michigan State travels to Miami to face the No. 24 team in the country in its second road game of the year and what looked like a “no chance” situation for the Spartans before the season currently seems to be a possibility for an upset.

Michigan State has the pieces and Miami seems to be reeling, so the Hurricanes should be careful as the Spartans take over Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday.

Let’s get bold ahead of Saturday afternoon’s big-time battle.

3. Spartans sack D’Eriq King five times

No quarterback likes playing under duress and D’Eriq King falls under that category. He’s a dual-threat quarterback, but coming off a major knee injury, he’s playing cautiously and probably running less this season than he usually would. He’s not a pocket passer although he can make some big-time throws, but he may sit back there longer than he’d like.

Michigan State is going to take advantage of his caution and dial up the pressure on Saturday afternoon in Miami.

The heat will be turned up both weather-wise and in the trenches as the Spartans utilize a handful of blitz packages which will include some linebacker and safety blitzes, racking up five sacks on the slippery starter for the Hurricanes.

This may seem like a big number, but he’s already been sacked six times this season and Michigan State will have Drew Beesley and Drew Jordan back for this one, more than likely.