Michigan State Football: Game-by-game predictions for second half of 2021
![EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 02: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans throws a pass while warming up before the first quarter of the game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Spartan Stadium on October 02, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 02: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans throws a pass while warming up before the first quarter of the game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Spartan Stadium on October 02, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/016ea4334d8cbeefde04353fee1cdf792df726317288d451f030a112002e0213.jpg)
Ohio State will be rolling at this point in the season and after a rough start to the year for Ryan Day and Co., the Buckeyes will be one of the top-three teams in the country. This could very well be a top-five matchup in Columbus.
I think Kenneth Walker III has yet another big game and the Spartans’ talented receivers get their numbers, but the defense just won’t be able to slow CJ Stroud down.
Final Score: Michigan State 20, Ohio State 38 (10-1, 7-1)
Bouncing back from the first loss of the season near the end of November won’t be easy. The loss to Ohio State will crush the Spartans’ playoff hopes and the Big Ten title aspirations may also be lost unless the Buckeyes lose another game.
Beating Penn State won’t be easy, but I think this is a game that Michigan State could win. The Spartans will be able to hang with the Nittany Lions, but their defense has the advantage.
Payton Thorne had a solid game against the Nittany Lions a year ago and he’ll have another decent one here, but he will fall just short.
Final Score: Penn State 24, Michigan State 21 (10-2, 7-2)
Next. Midseason awards for MSU football. dark