Michigan State Football: Staff score predictions vs. Miami in Week 3

Hard Rock Stadium is going to be buzzing on Saturday afternoon as Michigan State football comes to town to take on No. 24 Miami in one of the most intriguing battles of the week.

Michigan State is heading to Miami with plenty of momentum after two blowout wins over Northwestern and Youngstown State while the Hurricanes are fresh off their first win of the season, a 25-23 victory over App State at home. Before that, Miami was blasted by Alabama 44-13.

It seems like Michigan State is on the rise in the national eye while the Hurricanes are fighting for respect. This game should be exciting.

Here’s what the staff sees happening on Saturday afternoon.

Connor Muldowney: Michigan State has all the momentum heading into this game and Miami is limping into Saturday. Is that going to be enough for the Spartans to pull off an upset? The Spartans have an offense with a pulse for the first time since the prime Mark Dantonio days and Miami’s offense has been struggling. Everything seems to be working in Michigan State’s favor, and that’s what worries me. I think the Spartans will pull off the upset, but it’s going to be back-and-forth all afternoon long.

Final Score: Michigan State 27, Miami 24

Jack Williams: If you look at this game from a completely unbiased perspective using only what we’ve learned in 2021, how do you not have Michigan State winning? Miami got their brakes blown off by Alabama and barely snuck past Appalachian State. MSU has won comfortably against last year’s Big Ten West champion and blown out an FCS team. I have MSU winning based on common logic; I have them winning by two touchdowns because I’m a Spartan fan.

Final Score: Michigan State 31, Miami 17

Carter Landis: If it’s based on momentum, MSU should win this game pretty easily. But Miami is going to come to play and they are a pretty talented team. D’Eriq King is going to cause trouble for the Spartans if they can’t get a pass rush. MSU sneaks past them by a field goal, though.

Final Score: Michigan State 30, Miami 27

Conner Linsner: The Spartans head to South Beach to play against an underperforming Miami team through two games into the year. The Miami offense has regressed and Don Chaney Jr. a top tailback in the 2020 class is now out for the season. Given the offensive struggles for Miami and the emergence of Payton Thorne, who can manage a game, I see the Spartans pulling this one out but by a thin margin.

Final Score: Michigan State 24, Miami 23

Stephen Robb: This is a tough game to predict. It seems that many pundits have hoped on the Spartan train this week even Clay Travis of Outkick predicting an MSU victory. Here’s why I am concerned: MSU’s defense has been bend but don’t break. They must contain Miami’s D’Eriq King. I am not sold they can yet.

Final Score: Michigan State 24, Miami 27