Realistic expectations for Michigan State football the rest of the season
The one question on everyone's minds after Michigan State football lost to Ohio State 38-7 is what can we expect from the Spartans going forward?
That's a hard question to answer considering how up and down this season has been. MSU started slow with a scary win against Florida Atlantic before they had two solid wins against Maryland and Prairie View A&M. They then followed that up with two straight losses to Boston College and OSU to move the Spartan's record to 3-2.
At the start of the season a 3-2 record was probably the most likely outcome through five games, but MSU has shown glimpses of being a really good football team so it feels like it could have been better.
So what can we realistically expect going forward from Michigan State throughout their next seven games?
Most realistic outcome
At the start of the season I thought 7-5 was the most likely record for Michigan State, and I still think that is the most realistic outcome. But where the final four wins come I'm not so sure.
Oregon this Friday is the only guaranteed loss I see on the schedule, so MSU will have to win four of their final six games to reach seven wins. Thankfully I think that is more than doable.
Iowa and Michigan haven't looked as strong as people thought in the offseason, so those games can definitely be wins for Michigan State even though they will be difficult. The most likely outcome is probably one win out of the two.
After that the Spartans have games against two surprising teams in Indiana and Illinois. I think both are slightly overrated and think MSU will walk away with one win between these teams as well.
Michigan State then ends their season with two home games, the first against Purdue which is the only guaranteed win on the schedule. Lastly is a Rutgers team that is similar in strength to MSU, but I think Michigan State will prevail at home on senior day.
So I still think the most realistic outcome is a 7-5 record with a chance to reach eight wins in a bowl game. And for the first season under Jonathan Smith, I think we will be more than happy with that as long as MSU is competitive in the rest of their losses.