Michigan State football: 3 bold predictions at Rutgers in Week 7
![Sep 30, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Ethan Hurkett (49) and linebacker Jay Higgins (34) tackle Michigan State Spartans running back Nathan Carter (5) during the third quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports Sep 30, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Ethan Hurkett (49) and linebacker Jay Higgins (34) tackle Michigan State Spartans running back Nathan Carter (5) during the third quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/09647da812cfbe74b14cdf628128ece05f031d00bb65c5ec56a1fceab83ca033.jpg)
Harlon Barnett is trying to stop the bleeding. Following the sudden parting of ways between Michigan State football and Mel Tucker, the interim head coach is left trying to pick up the pieces.
Unfortunately, it’s been a losing battle as Michigan State looked hapless in the first game without its head coach, losing to Washington by a million, but the Spartans have gotten better each week since. Sadly that has yet to result in any wins.
Michigan State is hoping to change that on Saturday at Rutgers with a new QB1.
Let’s get bold.
3. Nathan Carter rushes for 150 yards
There hasn’t been a more impressive offensive player this season than Nathan Carter and that’s one thing we can still praise Mel Tucker for. He was able to go out and find some absolute gems in the transfer portal and it looks like the former UConn back is the latest to fit that description.
Through five games, Carter has 477 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
On top of that, Carter also has three 100-yard games to his name as a Spartan. Heck, he only has one game with fewer than 97 yards this season and that was the miserable showing against Washington. No one on the offensive side of the ball showed up for that bloodbath.
Well, I think we’re going to see Carter pick up his fourth 100-plus yard game as a Spartan and he’ll actually eclipse 150 yards for the first time in the green and white and just the second time in his college career. I’m going with 155 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.