Michigan State Football: 3 bold predictions for revenge game at Rutgers
![Michigan State Spartans running back Kenneth Walker III runs the ball against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Saturday, Oct. 02, 2021.Msu Wku Michigan State Spartans running back Kenneth Walker III runs the ball against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Saturday, Oct. 02, 2021.Msu Wku](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/3b64f0af46dd4358cc00ed144a492a96c3d3ad2ce23e3f4cfb5d7b765426fa6c.jpg)
Michigan State football is gearing up for a big rematch with Rutgers on Saturday afternoon. While this matchup may not usually seem like a good one, the Scarlet Knights are much improved under Greg Schiano and the Spartans, too, look better under Mel Tucker.
Schiano got the first laugh against Tucker a season ago when the Scarlet Knights came into East Lansing, turned the Spartans over seven times, and won.
The Spartans now head to Piscataway this season with a 5-0 record, ranked No. 11 in the country, looking for revenge. They’re hoping to become bowl eligible before Week 7 which hasn’t happened in a long, long time.
Will the Spartans get revenge on Saturday afternoon?
3. MSU won’t turn the ball over
Is this really a bold prediction? I mean, Michigan State hasn’t exactly been a turnover machine this season, but when you think back to the Spartans’ battle with Rutgers last year, this is incredibly bold.
Mel Tucker’s first game as head coach of Michigan State was a forgettable one. The Spartans turned the ball over seven (!!) times against Rutgers and ended up losing in East Lansing to the Scarlet Knights for the first time since they joined the Big Ten. It was a nightmare opening performance for the Spartan head coach but he rebounded nicely the following week.
Michigan State is going to protect the ball this time around because I can bet that Tucker has been showing his team the film from last year’s loss. Plus, ball protection has been harped on by the coaching staff this season, and that’s paid huge dividends.
The Spartans will take care of the ball, finish with no turnovers and conversely turn the Scarlet Knights over twice.