Can Michigan State football pull off upset for the ages vs Notre Dame?

It's go time for Michigan State football.

After opening the season with two wins against MAC teams, the Spartans travel to South Bend for a game against a Notre Dame squad that's clicking on all cylinders and is one of the most talented teams in the country.

The Spartans are big underdogs, favored to lose by more than four touchdowns, but could this be the start of something special for Pat Fitzgerald and MSU?

It's a tall task, but never say never.

The game will kick off under the lights (7:30 p.m., NBC) in front of a national audience in a big opportunity for quarterback Alessio Milivojevic to show what he's capable of against C.J. Carr, the former Saline football star and son of legendary Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr.

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Can the Spartans pull out an upset for the ages? Four Free Press sports writers have some thoughts on that:

Rainer Sabin

The Spartans looked solid in their first two games. But Pat Fitzgerald’s program is in nascent stages of development. Marcus Freeman’s, on the other hand, is full-grown. The Fighting Irish are a title contender and play like one Saturday, blowing away the overmatched Spartans. The pick: Notre Dame 35, MSU 10.

Jeff Seidel

This is the type of game I’d love to see in a few years after Pat Fitzgerald has time to fully develop his program. When coaching and toughness and discipline and football IQ and growth over years (if possible in NIL era) can come together and put up a real battle against a significantly better, more talented team. That’s what he did at Northwestern. But now? No chance. But it sure would be good to see some of those signs. The pick: Notre Dame 38, MSU 10.

Chris Solari

Rain is expected during the game, which could alter the flow and play-calling depending on the severity. Still, expect Carr and the Irish to try and open things up against the Spartans’ untested secondary to set up their run game. And if Hall does not play, the breakdowns MSU had the first two weeks could turn into a runaway second half for Notre Dame. Fitzgerald needs to make a statement with his program’s toughness, though, and the Spartans keep things interesting through halftime. The pick: Notre Dame 41, MSU 14.

Shawn Windsor

The Fighting Irish may have the best roster in college football. The Spartans are just hoping to get back to a ball game. This isn't the game to do that. If they stay competitive for a couple of quarters, that would be a win. Maybe they take it into the second half before Notre Dame pulls away. But likely not. Still, it's good to see where you are. The pick: Notre Dame 37, MSU 16.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Can Michigan State football pull off upset for the ages vs Notre Dame?