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Jonathan Smith left his alma mater Oregon State to head to the Big Ten and help resuscitate a struggling Michigan State Spartans program still reeling from the disastrous Mel Tucker era.
Smith brought a high-upside, unproven quarterback along with him in Aidan Chiles, and how Chiles performs is far and away the biggest factor in how this team looks in year one of the Smith era.
The Spartans have major questions in the trenches on both sides of the ball, and a tough conference slate with road trips to Ann Arbor and Eugene could make it tough for Smith and Michigan State to qualify for a bowl game.
Below is a look at each game on Michigan State’s schedule this season, with a final score prediction and discussion on each matchup:
Florida Atlantic Owls – August 30
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Michigan State 31, Florida Atlantic 20
FAU has been a mid-major darling at the basketball level the past few years, but football hasn’t quite had the same success. Jonathan Smith and the Spartans should get a victory here to kick off the campaign in East Lansing.
At Maryland Terrapins – September 7
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Maryland 28, Michigan State 21
The Terps aren’t exactly a powerhouse, but they present enough of a challenge for Smith and the Spartans to prevent them from getting their first conference victory on the road in Week 2.
Prairie View A&M Panthers – September 14
Syndication: Tallahassee Democrat
Prediction: Michigan State 32, Prairie View A&M 17
Everyone loves an underdog, and an up-and-coming SWAC team against a new coach and a new look squad early in the season has all the makings of a potentially massive upset in East Lansing.
However, the Spartans have enough talent to get by in this one, even if they are still putting all the pieces together.
At Boston College Eagles – September 21
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Boston College 27, Michigan State 25
This one feels like it could really go either way, two teams that have new coaches and new look rosters. The edge goes to BC for now as the home team, but the Spartans will compete and could really use a nice non-con victory in this one.
Ohio State Buckeyes – September 28
Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch
Prediction: Ohio State 31, Michigan State 14
Smith’s first real chance to prove himself at Michigan State will come in mid-September when Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes roll into town. New OC Chip Kelly could get this offense rolling, while the defense is expected to once again be outstanding. The Spartans will have their hands full in this one, even at home.
At Oregon Ducks – October 4
Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Oregon 37, Michigan State 24
Perhaps no game on the schedule means more to coach Smith – a former quarterback and head coach at Oregon State – than this trip to Eugene to take on the Oregon Ducks. Oregon is a legit national title contender though, and at home against a coach and a system the Ducks are familiar with it’s hard to imagine the Spartans pulling this one off.
Iowa Hawkeyes – October 19
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Iowa 22, Michigan State 14
Iowa’s anemic offense and elite defense should once again be on display, although new playcaller Tim Lester will hope to revive the Hawkeyes offensively. The defense, however, should be enough to keep Michigan State out of the win column for the fourth straight week.
At Michigan Wolverines – October 26
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Michigan 38, Michigan State 17
A win at Oregon or at home against Ohio State would be excellent, but the best thing Jonathan Smith can do to endear himself to the Spartan faithful is pull off a victory in Ann Arbor over the Michigan Wolverines. Unfortunately, that might be too tall a task for the new head coach – at least in year one.
Indiana Hoosiers – November 2
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Michigan State 27, Indiana 19
The losing streak stops here. A battle between two new head coaches goes in favor of Smith and the Spartans, who have the home field advantage over a sputtering Indiana program under new coach Curt Cignetti in Bloomington.
At Illinois Fighting Illini – November 16
Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Michigan State 28, Illinois 24
The Spartans should start to improve as the year goes on and players get familiar with the new system. Road games are always tough in conference play, but this is a good opportunity for Michigan State to pick up a quality victory and carry some momentum into the final few weeks of the season and into 2025.
Purdue Boilermakers – November 22
Syndication: Journal-Courier
Prediction: Michigan State 28, Purdue 19
Speaking of momentum, how about winning a third straight? Michigan State’s schedule lightens up toward the end of the year, which is perfect timing for this team to start to put the pieces all together and build momentum. Purdue has a really rough schedule, and a road tilt here is going to be tough for them to secure a victory.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights – November 30
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Rutgers 24, Michigan State 20
Rutgers returns a ton of star power and should be rolling toward the end of the season, and an excellent run game could be enough to keep Michigan State at bay in this one. While it would be nice to finish the season on a four-game winning streak, three of the last four is still a nice cap in year one for coach Smith and the Spartans.
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/michigan-state-football-game-predictions-big-ten/