The month of October is upon us, and if you’re a hardcore Michigan State football fan, you’d know that has meant nothing but bad luck over the past few years.
Since that magical 2021 season, the Spartans have been dominated in October. Last year, the Spartans faced Michigan, Oregon, and Ohio State in a four-game stretch from late-September to October, and then they saw No. 13 Indiana in the first game of November. That stretch really just ended the season after a 3-1 start.
This year, the Spartans are off to another 3-1 start, but they face yet another tough stretch with Nebraska, Indiana, and Michigan next up.
How will the Spartans fare this October?
1. at Nebraska (Oct. 4)
The first game of the month won’t be an easy one. The Spartans will head to Lincoln to face Nebraska after the Cornhuskers lost their first game of the season against Michigan.
Dylain Raiola is one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten, and that’s going to be a true test for the Spartan secondary that has struggled over the past three games. I just don’t think the defense will make the necessary stops to pull off the win at Memorial Stadium. This will feel a lot like the USC game. A lot of offense but very few punts.
Prediction: Michigan State 24, Nebraska 34 (3-2, 0-2)
2. vs. UCLA (Oct. 11)
This is the easiest matchup for the Spartans in October. While the Bruins did add Nico Iamaleava this offseason, to everyone’s surprise, they are also winless and look like the worst team in the Power Four, firing DeShaun Foster a couple of weeks ago.
UCLA might not win a game this season and I think the Spartan offense has its way with the Bruins in this one to get back in the win column.
Prediction: UCLA 13, Michigan State 34 (4-2, 1-2)
3. at No. 8 Indiana (Oct. 18)
I think we all know what’s going to happen here. Michigan State just won’t have the defense to slow Fernando Mendoza and that Hoosier offense down. The defense won’t be able to get stops and this one could get ugly.
I don’t see it being as ugly as last year’s matchup in East Lansing, but I just don’t see the Spartans hanging with this offense.
Prediction: Michigan State 20, Indiana 42 (4-3, 1-3)
4. vs. No. 20 Michigan (Oct. 25)
Finally, the game that’s been circled on everyone’s calendar. Michigan comes to town on Oct. 25 and this will be a revenge opportunity for the Spartans. Let’s hope Jonathan Smith is prepared for this “sucker”, as he called it last season.
We’re going to see a motivated Michigan State team on Oct. 25. They will be fired up to exact revenge on the Wolverines and head into November with some momentum.
Aidan Chiles outduels Bryce Underwood, racking up 300 total yards and three scores.
Prediction: Michigan 24, Michigan State 28 (5-3, 2-3)