Michigan State football: 5 bold predictions for the 2023 season

1. MSU upsets two of the trio of Michigan, Penn State, Washington

While Michigan State has one of the toughest schedules in college football this season, the Spartans do have the advantage of getting some of their best opponents at home.

They do travel to Iowa City to face Iowa, Minneapolis to face Minnesota, and Columbus to face Ohio State which are likely to all be losses, but they host Washington, Michigan, Maryland, and get Penn State at Ford Field in Detroit. Those are four games that would be likely losses if they were on the road, but Mel Tucker gets a crack at them either at home or in Detroit.

The one game on the schedule that I’m going to just call a loss and get it out of the way now is Ohio State. Michigan State won’t be going into Columbus and stealing a win. That just doesn’t happen and Tucker hasn’t played the Buckeyes close yet.

However, Michigan, Penn State, and Washington could all be closer than people expect. I don’t think any of those are “likely” wins or even “lean” wins. But I do think that Michigan State is due for an upset or two every year. And I think the Spartans get two big ones this season.

My money would be on Washington in Week 3 and then Penn State in the finale. But anything can happen in a rivalry game and I’d rather see it be Michigan than either of the other two.

Michigan State steals two out of three against top-10 opponents not named Ohio State this year.