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Michigan State football: 5 bold predictions for the 2022 season

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State's Jayden Reed scores a touchdown against Nebraska during the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210925 Msu Nebraska 119a
Michigan State's Jayden Reed scores a touchdown against Nebraska during the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210925 Msu Nebraska 119a /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 30: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 30: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

2. Payton Thorne breaks single-season passing yards, TDs records

In his first year as a full-time starting quarterback, Payton Thorne messed around and broke Michigan State’s single-season passing touchdowns record. He threw 27 touchdown passes over 13 games and looked like a breakout star under center. He added over 3,200 yards through the air and that was good enough for third in a single season at MSU.

How could he follow that record-breaking season up as a junior? By breaking more records, of course.

Thorne will not only break his own passing touchdowns record, approaching 30 in 2022, but he’s going to take down Jeff Smoker’s single-season passing yards record of 3,395 which has stood since 2003. He was close to taking that down last year, but he struggled in a key game against Ohio State. We’ll see him put together a really consistent, solid year.

With the wealth of talent surrounding him on offense and an improved starting offensive line, Thorne is going to pass for over 3,400 yards and 29 touchdowns on his way to another record-breaking season. This will also put him in the top five for career passing yards and passing touchdowns at Michigan State.

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