Michigan State football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2023

Sep 17, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) celebrates with tight end Tyler Hunt (97) after catching a touchdown pass during the second quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 12, 2022; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Cal Haladay (27) tackles Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (23) at the line of scrimmage in the first half at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports /

The first road game of the season doesn’t come until Week 5 for Michigan State and it’s a tough one as no one wants to be the visitor in Iowa City against the Hawkeyes.

Iowa, a usually-defensive-minded program, decided to upgrade the offense this offseason by adding Cade McNamara from Michigan via the portal as well as his tight end, Erik All. The Hawkeyes are becoming very maize and blue and that actually may help their chances in the Big Ten West this year.

I think Iowa has just enough offense in this one and Katin Houser gets a little rattled in his first road start as the Spartans stumble by a touchdown.

Prediction: Loss (4-1, 1-1)

Another road game comes after the Spartans’ bye at the beginning of October as Rutgers presents an opportunity for Michigan State to get back on track after its first loss.

And the Spartans will do just that.

The duo of Jalen Berger and Nathan Carter will run wild over the Scarlet Knights as Michigan State just imposes its will on both sides of the line of scrimmage to come away with a pick-me-up type of win on the road, inching one step closer to bowl eligibility.

Prediction: Win (5-1, 2-1)

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