Michigan State vs. Notre Dame: Score predictions, analysis from Spartans Wire staff

Michigan State vs. Notre Dame: Score predictions, analysis from Spartans Wire staff

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Michigan State vs. Notre Dame: Score predictions, analysis from Spartans Wire staff

A historic rivalry will be renewed on Saturday night in South Bend, Ind., and it'll require a historic upset for Michigan State football to come home with a victory. So does the Spartans Wire staff think that's possible?

The Spartans head to No. 3 Notre Dame on Saturday for a primetime nationally televised matchup in one of the most iconic stadiums in college football. Michigan State comes into this matchup with a perfect 2-0 record on the season, but is listed as a near 30-point underdog against the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame is also 2-0 on the year and looking to pick up a third straight dominant victory to open the season.

With nearly no one giving Michigan State any chance of winning this matchup, where do our writers at Spartans Wire stand on this matchup? Do we think an upset is brewing or another dominant victory for the Fighting Irish?

Let's take a look at our predictions for this week's matchup between Michigan State and Notre Dame below:

Cory Linsner

Michigan State head coach Pat Fitzgerald celebrates a play against Toledo during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.

Prediction: Notre Dame 48, Michigan State 10

It may have been a fun start to the season, but that fun feels like it’s quickly coming to an end. Michigan State doesn’t have nearly enough talent on this roster. Look for MSU to try and take a few moral victories out of this, because that’s the only kind of victory I can see happening.

Robert Bondy

Sep 12, 2026; East Lansing, Michigan, USA;  Eastern Michigan Eagles defensive back Rayquan Adkins (25) tries to take the ball from Michigan State Spartans running back Cam Edwards (0) during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium.  Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images

Prediction: Notre Dame 30, Michigan State 17

Are the weather gods fans of Michigan State? Because the current forecast of rainy conditions on Saturday is exactly what the doctor ordered for a potential upset. A rainy night in South Bend will give Michigan State a better chance at winning considering the Spartans may have the advantage in the run game battle. But ultimately, the Michigan State is not going to have enough depth and big-time playmakers to pull off this upset. Pat Fitzgerald isn't about moral victories, but this will be a performance he should be proud of as the Spartans try to get things back on track.

Andrew Brewster

Michigan State’s Alessio Milivojevic throws a touchdown against Toledo during the fourth quarter on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Michigan State 13

Let's not be crazy here. It would not be a reasonable expectation on this team this year to even expect this game to be close. The Spartans, on the road, against the No. 3 team in the country, you just hope to see some resiliency and fight. The only way I'm leaving this game feeling disappointed is if they get completely cooked and lose 49-0.

Rest of our Big Ten picks

Sep 12, 2026; Pasadena, California, USA;  UCLA wide receiver Semaj Morgan (4) runs with the ball after making a catch while under pressure from San Diego State safety Jelani McLaughlin (20) during the second half at the Rose Bowl.  Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images

Interested in our picks for the rest of the Big Ten games this week? Click here to check out our picks against the spread for each Big Ten game on the schedule this week.

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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State vs. Notre Dame: Score predictions, analysis from Spartans Wire staff

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