Michigan State football: Game-by-game predictions for 2023 season

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 26: Dillon Tatum #21 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after a play against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Beaver Stadium on November 26, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 12: Sean Ryan #5 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights is tackled by Cal Haladay #27 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half of a game at Spartan Stadium on November 12, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) /

A perfect 4-0 start to the season will have fans buying all the way back in, but nothing will humble you quite like a trip to Kinnick Stadium to face Iowa.

The Hawkeyes will have one of the best defenses in the country again and the offense has improved drastically with the additions of Cade McNamara and Erick All.

The last time these two teams met in Iowa City, it was ugly. I expect a similar result.

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

With a real chance to bounce back against a Big Ten East bottom-dweller, Michigan State will need to rely heavily on its run game in this one. Much like the 2021 contest in Piscataway, it’s going to take a few big chunk plays to really put this game out of reach, but Tre Mosley and Nathan Carter will get the job done.

Michigan State doesn’t win big, but it does just enough to steal a road win. Not an easy feat in the Big Ten, no matter the opponent.

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

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