This week feels like a game that’ll essentially make or break the entire 2023 season for Michigan State.
Will a challenging schedule ahead, the Spartans already find themselves in a back-against-the-wall situation in their Big Ten home opener against Maryland. Last week’s blowout loss against Washington proved Michigan State will not compete at the highest level of the Big Ten this year, but reaching a bowl game is still in play should the Spartans bounce back this week against the Terps.
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Maryland enters this matchup a perfect 3-0 on the year but quite frankly hasn’t been tested yet this year. This will also mark the first road game of the season for the Terps — who have struggled away from home under head coach Mike Locksley with a 6-13 road record since he took over in 2019. It should also be noted that of his six road wins, none were against teams that finished the season with a winning record.
So can Michigan State — who’s listed as a touchdown underdog — pull off the upset and get back on track this week against Maryland? Check out our predictions below:
Credit: Nick King / Lansing State Journal
Prediction: MSU 38, Maryland 31
Last week was very frustrating for fans and I’m sure for the players, but I think it’s okay to give the Spartans the benefit of the doubt. These are college students who had to deal with a very confusing and dramatic situation and try to play a game against an excellent Washington team that could end up in the College Football Playoff. I would have picked MSU to win this one before last week, and I’m going to go back to that now and chalk last week up to a bad circumstance. Maryland hasn’t looked too good this year, I think MSU has a good chance here.
Credit: Nick King / Lansing State Journal
Prediction: MSU 34, Maryland 31
MSU needs to bounce back in a big way and it’s now or never, or this season could get ugly quick. I think they do.
Credit: Nick King / Lansing State Journal
Prediction: MSU 31, Maryland 20
Maryland has struggled on the road in recent years and so has their star quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa. Michigan State has its issues defensively but they won’t see an offense like Washington again this year (well…maybe Ohio State) so I expect a much better performance on Saturday. The real question will be how Noah Kim responds and if he can flush that brutal performance from last week. I think he does, and I actually like the Spartans to win this one convincingly.
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