Schedule Analysis: Michigan State

Games in which Michigan State will be heavily favored:

@Central Michigan

Eastern Michigan

@Indiana

Games in which Michigan State will be a heavy underdog:

None

Favorable matchup games:

Boise State

Notre Dame

Iowa

Nebraska

Northwestern

@Minnesota

Unfavorable matchup games:

Ohio State

@Michigan

@Wisconsin

Summary:

Michigan State has a tough test right out of the shoot with a primetime matchup on Friday night against Boise State at home.  The Broncos play extremely well on the road out of conference.  In fact, Boise’s record in non-conference road games the last two years is 7-0.  Yes, that’s right 7-0!  It should be mentioned that the Georgia game in Atlanta last year and the Virginia Tech game in DC back in 2010 were technically “neutral site” games, but come on who are we kidding?  Those were home games for Georgia and Virginia Tech respectively and the Broncos flat took care of business.  If I were a Michigan State fan I would be terrified of playing Boise State in the opener. 

The B1G slate is much easier this year for MSU than it was last year.  They get Iowa, Nebraska, and Ohio State at home this year, but they still must travel to Michigan and Wisconsin and the road game at Minnesota won’t be a cake walk either.  I think Minnesota is going to be the most improved team in the conference by seasons end. 

Michigan State lost a ton of offensive personnel and must also replace their 3 year starting quarterback and unquestioned leader in Kirk Cousins.  Cousins was voted a team captain his sophomore year.   Andrew Maxwell is a smart kid and I am confident he will assume a leadership role right away, but he will experience his growing pains this year.  Michigan State will live and die this year by its defense and running game, led by stud tailback LeVeon Bell.

Prediction:

8-4