Michigan State Football: Game-by-game predictions for November 2021

Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker watches his team warm up before playing the Michigan Wolverines Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.Msu Mich
Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker watches his team warm up before playing the Michigan Wolverines Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.Msu Mich /
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Oct 30, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) and running back Challen Faamatau (29) during the first half Indiana Hoosiers at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) and running back Challen Faamatau (29) during the first half Indiana Hoosiers at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Maryland is in a similar boat as Purdue as the Terrapins are hoping to play spoiler and they, too, are just one win away from bowl eligibility. While Maryland isn’t a contender in the Big Ten, it’s a team that can cause problems and it’s far from a pushover.

Taulia Tagovailoa leads one of the best passing offenses in the country, throwing for 2,384 yards and 17 touchdowns with eight picks, and as long as Michigan State gets pressure on him, he is prone to turning the ball over so he might make some ill-advised throws. Winning this turnover battle will be important and I think the Spartans will do just that.

Also like Purdue, the Terrapins don’t have an elite run game. If Michigan State can make them one-dimensional and create a couple of turnovers, the Spartans win.

Kenneth Walker III is going to have a huge day against that average run defense and Payton Thorne, too, should have himself a game.

Michigan State might score 40, depending on the weather, in this one.

Final Score: Maryland 20, Michigan State 37 (10-0, 7-0)