Michigan State Football: 3 bold predictions for season opener vs. WMU

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Sep 25, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) warms up before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Payton Thorne throws five touchdown passes

In the 2021 season opener, Michigan State relied heavily on Kenneth Walker III to put Northwestern away but I think we’re going to see a big game from Payton Thorne this time around.

Walker rushed for four touchdowns in the opener, including a 75-yard score on the first play of the game, but I think Thorne breaks that mark in this one with five scores through the air. He’s going to have one of the best season openers of any Michigan State quarterback in recent memory.

Thorne will throw three first-half touchdown passes and then two more in the third quarter to really seal the deal, putting Michigan State up by 2-3 scores for good.

I’m not sure if Michigan State can cover the spread which has been anywhere from -20.5 to -22.5 but I’m going to say the Spartans win comfortably because of Thorne and the passing game.

We’ll still see plenty of Jarek Broussard and Jalen Berger but Thorne will steal the show.

Next. Game-by-game predictions for MSU football. dark

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