Final record prediction for Michigan State football after spring 2024
Games 1-4
Game 1: Florida Atlantic
Game 2: at Maryland
Game 3: Prairie View A&M
Game 4: at Boston College
Michigan State's schedule is sectioned into three obvious blocks of games based on difficulty, with the first four games being a little easier than normal. That's definitely a huge benefit for Michigan State as they need time adjust to playing as a team for the first time in real regular season games.
Let's start first with the three non-conference games. Games one and three against Florida Atlantic and Prairie View A&M will be the easiest of the season and as close to two guaranteed wins as possible. The Spartans should have no issues with these two opponents, so let's chalk them up as two wins for MSU.
The fourth game on the schedule is quite interesting as the Spartans travel to Boston College for their non-conference finale. Boston College is in a very similar spot as Michigan State as they have a new head coach in Bill O'Brien. The Eagles aren't a very intimidating opponent and they do not have a huge home-field advantage like we are used to seeing throughout the Big Ten, so I think Michigan State stands a very good chance. I imagine this game will be very close, but I think this being the second true road game of the season will benefit MSU. So mark this down as a close win for the Spartans.
The one conference game in this grouping is a road trip to Maryland for the Spartans' second game of the season. Maryland has had Michigan State's number in recent years, but they are breaking in a new quarterback, too. I definitely think this is a game Michigan State can win, but the first road game with a brand new team scares me. Maybe I'll feel differently as the offseason unfolds, but for now I'm putting MSU down for a loss in this game.
Record: 3-1