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Michigan State Football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2022

By Connor Muldowney

Oct 30, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) celebrates with teammates during the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) celebrates with teammates during the fourth quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) throws a pass during warmups before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) throws a pass during warmups before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

This is where things start to get tougher. Michigan State will take to the road to face off against a Washington team under the direction of a new coaching staff led by Kalen DeBoer and he brought in Michael Penix Jr. to start at quarterback next year. That’s a name Michigan State fans didn’t think they’d have to worry about again, but here we are.

Washington had a poor 2021 season under Jimmy Lake but it was clear that there was just a disconnect between him and his team. The Huskies’ offense was a nightmare and the team seemed just too dysfunctional.

That should change in 2022 but this matchup luckily comes before the train can truly get rolling. I think Michigan State wins, but it’ll need to drag Washington into the deep waters late.

Final Score: Michigan State 31, Washington 20 (3-0)

PJ Fleck is going to bring it all to East Lansing on Sept. 24 and this is a game that’s going to be a real test for the Spartans. Tanner Morgan is back for his 13th season (just kidding, sort of) and the Gophers are fresh off a 9-4 season.

It usually takes Minnesota a little while to gain some momentum as the Gophers have struggled a bit early in the year under Fleck but I think they actually play well here.

Morgan will have a big game against that retooled Michigan State secondary but the run defense will step up and make the Gophers one-dimensional.

Final Score: Minnesota 24, Michigan State 31 (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten)

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