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

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COLUMBUS, OHIO – NOVEMBER 20: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws a first half pass while playing the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Michigan State was last season what Maryland fans expected their program to be a couple of years following the hire of Mike Locksley. But the Terrapins haven’t quite emerged from the Big Ten’s cellar and 2022 could be the year that happens with Taulia Tagovailoa returning.

The Terps were No. 13 in the nation in passing last year and will be just as good, if not better, this year with Taulia back throwing the ball to Rakim Jarrett and Dontay Demus Jr.

I see the Spartans on the ropes for a bit here, but they’ll find a way to win thanks to a big game from Payton Thorne against that poor Maryland defense.

Prediction: Michigan State 34, Maryland 30 (5-0, 2-0)

This is the true litmus test for Michigan State. The Spartans will be 5-0 and probably ranked somewhere in the top 10 while Ohio State will also be undefeated with wins over Wisconsin and Notre Dame, looking to add another ranked win to the resume.

These two met up last year and the game was over by the end of the first quarter. The Buckeyes raced out to a massive lead and Michigan State couldn’t do anything against a defense that was otherwise lackluster all year.

Michigan State wants revenge and Mel Tucker believes that he’s building a program that can hang with, and beat, the Ohio States and Alabamas of the world. Not this year, though.

Prediction: Ohio State 42, Michigan State 28 (5-1, 2-1)

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