Three Massive Bold Predictions to Help the Spartans Win

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Week One

  • Alessio Milivojevic 2+ Passing Touchdowns: Incorrect — 1
  • Cam Edwards 2+ Anytime Touchdowns: Incorrect — 1
  • Michigan State 6+ Sacks: Incorrect — 2

Week Two

  • Alessio Milivojevic 300+ Passing Yards: Incorrect — 170
  • Rodney Bullard 100+ Receiving Yards: Incorrect — 26
  • Michigan State Does Not Allow a Touchdown: Incorrect — 1

This Week

Yeah, yeah. The bold predictions weren't exactly on fire last week.

I had such an inkling that the Spartans were going to turn into Tom Brady and the New England Patriots with Randy Moss on the team. Instead, Pat Fitzgerald did exactly what he said he would do all season long: run the football early and often with Cam Edwards.

I was way off on my first two bold predictions, but I regained a little street cred with my third. Michigan State came this close to keeping Eastern Michigan out of the end zone before Noah Kim finally walked in for the Eagles' only touchdown of the game.

Still, a touchdown is a touchdown.

Now, these are bold predictions, so I'm not necessarily chasing victories here. I'm chasing moral victories — the kind where I can say I was at least on the right path.

So, without further ado, let's get into Week Three's bold predictions for the Spartans as they head to South Bend, Indiana, to take on the No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Cam Edwards Rushes for 100+ Yards

This might not seem all that bold to some people, but right now, Vegas has Cam Edwards' rushing prop set at 43.5 yards.

I'm predicting Edwards will more than double that number and add another 13-plus yards on top of it.

This game should be played in a dome with the amount of rain South Bend is expected to see not only today, but throughout the game Saturday night.

Now, Mother Nature can change quickly and turn this into a beautiful evening of football, but I'm expecting a grueling mud bowl that could see Edwards receive 30-plus carries as Michigan State looks to control the clock and dominate time of possession.

If Edwards gets that kind of workload, I don't see how he doesn't find a couple of openings for explosive runs and push his rushing total over 100 yards.

Bold Prediction: Cam Edwards 100+ rushing yards.

Total Points Scored Under 40.5

Right now, Vegas has the over/under set at 52.5 points, and that's where it has been since the beginning. The under has moved from -110 to -115, but that's about the only significant change.

However, with my expectation for rain and Michigan State's ground-and-pound style under offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, I think this game turns into a field-position battle and a very low-scoring affair.

I almost went with under 30 total points for this bold prediction, but even I have to admit that might be a little looney.

Instead, I'll bring the total down 12 points from the current Vegas line and predict these two teams will combine for under 40.5 points.

Both defenses should make life difficult, and I expect Michigan State to do everything it can to shorten the game, control the clock and keep Notre Dame's explosive offense on the sideline.

Bold Prediction: Michigan State vs. Notre Dame finishes under 40.5 total points.

Michigan State Wins

If you've already read my score prediction, then you know I have Michigan State winning this game.

This game might mean a lot more to Fitzgerald and the Spartans than it does to Notre Dame.

With the College Football Playoff expanded to 12 teams, losing an early matchup doesn't carry the same weight it once did. Notre Dame can afford a stumble and still have plenty of opportunities to work its way into the playoff picture.

Michigan State doesn't have that luxury.

The Fighting Irish also have what has been viewed as one of the weaker schedules in the country, and that creates the possibility that Notre Dame could overlook a Michigan State team that barely escaped Toledo in Week One and entered the season with a projected win total of just 4.5 games.

Fitzgerald and his team, meanwhile, understand what's at stake.

The Spartans need an unbelievable showing Saturday night — not just to prove they can compete with one of the best teams in the country, but to cement the trust they've been building with their fans and make an impression on future recruits.

A shocking Michigan State victory in South Bend would turn plenty of heads nationally.

And recruits will notice.

This game could very well feel like a national championship for Michigan State.

If that's the case, the Spartans are going to come into South Bend with absolutely everything they have.

Bold Prediction: Michigan State beats No. 3 Notre Dame.

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