ESPN SP+ ratings system predicts final score for Michigan State-Illinois matchup

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It's must win time for the Spartans so do the computers think they'll get it done this week against Illinois? The SP+ model unfortunately doesn't like their odds again this week.

Bill Connelly of ESPN has posted his weekly SP+ predictions for every FBS game this week, and the projected final score for Michigan State-Illinois is in favor of the Fighting Illini. The projection model from SP+ has Illinois beating Michigan State by the final score of 30-24.

Michigan State comes into this week's homecoming matchup in dire need of a win. The Spartans have dropped three straight games (all by more than 17 points) and now sit at 2-3 overall and 0-2 in Big Ten play. A loss to Illinois would nearly confirm the Spartans won't go bowling this season.

Illinois is also in a tough spot with the same record as the Spartans at 2-3 overall and 0-2 in Big Ten play. The Fighting Illini were upset by Purdue last week and also chasing their first conference win of the season.

Kickoff from Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich. is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will be televised on FS1.

My Thoughts on SP+ Prediction

Can Michigan State's offense actually score 24 points? It's possible against a rather bad Illinois defense but that would be the one area where I'm not in lockstep with this prediction. A six-point Fighting Illini victory seems about right from what we have seen in the last few weeks. But, hopefully that prediction is wrong considering this is a must-win for the Spartans to have any chance at reaching a bowl game this year.

Complete SP+ Predictions for Week 6

Click on the post below to see the complete breakdown of every Football Bowl Subdivision game that SP+ has predicted the scores for this upcoming week:

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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: ESPN SP+ ratings system predicts final score for Michigan State-Illinois matchup

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