Michigan State Football: Post-spring 2022 game-by-game predictions

After a busy spring and with the roster and depth chart looking clearer, how will Michigan State football fare during the 2022 season?

Spring ball is in the books and official visit season is upon us, which means were are inching closer and closer to the start of Michigan State football.

The Spartans shocked college football last season by going 11-2 after a 2-5 start to the Mel Tucker era in 2020. Not only did the Spartans win 11 games, but they also beat two Power Five conference champions and won their New Year’s Six bowl.

Michigan State is losing some key players from last season like Kenneth Walker III, Jalen Nailor, Jacub Panasiuk, and AJ Arcuri but it does return guys like Payton Thorne, Jayden Reed, and Xavier Henderson. This team should be just fine and potentially replicate the success from 2021.

Here are my official post-spring predictions for the Spartans.

Western Michigan was one of the better teams in the MAC last season, going 8-5 and .500 in conference play, but Kaleb Eleby, Sean Tyler, and Skyy Moore are all gone. The outlook for Tim Lester’s team in 2022 isn’t a great one with pretty much all the key players needing to be replaced.

Michigan State is going to race out to a nice lead early and kick the season off with an impressive win over the in-state MAC foe.

Prediction: Western Michigan 13, Michigan State 42 (1-0)

Remember when I said Western Michigan’s outlook in the MAC isn’t favorable? Well, Akron’s is even worse. The Zips are expected to be one of the worst teams in the country, especially after going 2-10 last year and recording only one MAC victory.

Michigan State should be able to feast in this one and the game should be over by halftime.

Prediction: Akron 6, Michigan State 48 (2-0)