After picking up win No. 3 to begin the 2025 season, Michigan State football fans are remaining (extra) cuatiously optimistic.
The pessimism is starting to creep in, especially after watching the defense struggle against Youngstown State, giving up 24 points in an ugly effort, and seeing Boston College silenced on the road against a mediocre Stanford team. That second part had several fans hitting the panic button.
Boston College went out with a whimper against Stanford in Week 3, losing 30-20 in a game that the Eagles looked like they were going to run away with early on. Concerning stuff.
But we can't get caught up looking at past opponents' results, week to week. We have to focus on what Michigan State is doing and what it can do better.
Still, there are some concerns heading into a Week 4 matchup with the nation's top overall offense (604 yards and 55 points per game). Vegas doesn't expect this one to be all that close, despite USC just sneaking into the AP Top 25 for the first time this season.
Opening odds for USC vs. Michigan State football
Odds via DraftKings on Monday, Sept. 15.
Line: USC -17.5
Over/Under: 55.5
Moneyline: Michigan State +550 | USC -800
I get it, USC has been one of the most dominant offensive teams in the nation so far this season, but the Trojans have faced just Missouri State, Georgia Southern, and Purdue. The win over the Boilermakers was by 16 points on the road, but the Trojans still surrendered over 350 total yards. Purdue is expected to finish at the bottom of the conference this year.
The Trojans are now 3-0 on the year with three blowout wins and they're ranked No. 25, but Lincoln Riley's program has fallen short of expectations since he took over. Is this another year of over-hyping the Trojans before they fall flat on their faces?
We're about to find out.