Staff Picks – USU vs. Michigan State
Jaden Johnson – @jadenjohnson00
Utah State has proven many times that they can hang with the big boys, or at least hang with them through the first few quarters of a game, and I expect this to be similar. However, as good as Auburn was in 2011, Wisconsin was in 2012, USC was in 2013, etc., I think Michigan State is better. Like, legit national championship contender good. The Spartans have 19 returning starters from a team that was No. 15 in the nation last season. They ranked second in the nation in rush defense, and I don’t trust USU’s passing game enough to think that they can make up the difference. The Aggies will hold tough through the first half, much like last year against Wisconsin, but the Spartans will run away in the second half.
MSU 36 – USU 17
Daniel Hansen – @thegranddanny
Just don’t get injured. Just don’t get injured. Just don’t get injured.
Every single Aggie fan should pray for that throughout this game. If USU is still healthy after Friday, I’d call that a win. This Spartan team has a legit shot at the Playoff this season. QB Brian Lewerke is one of my favorite dark-horse Heisman candidates for this season, helming what will be a punishing-yet-potent offense with returning senior RB LJ Scott and a talented receiving corps. Defensively, a whopping EIGHT players on defense return after receiving All-Big Ten honors last season. This could get ugly for Utah State, real quick.
Michigan State 44, Utah State 16
Wes Mangum – @Dream_Breather_
This one’s going to be close – for the first quarter. Maybe even into the second quarter. It won’t last, though – and that’s no knock on the Aggies. Michigan State is for real. Running back LJ Scott will wear down USU’s defense on the ground, and Utah State is going to have to resort to the air to try and make things happen against the Spartans. Michigan State was one of the best defensive teams in the country last year, and there’s no reason to think that 2018 will be any different. The Aggies will see some bright spots: look for Ron’quavian Tarver and Savon Scarver to make plays on deep balls from Jordan Love. It won’t be enough to come away with a victory against a potential National Championship contender, though.
MSU 45 – USU 17
Daedan Olander
Two numbers help tell the story in this game: 10 and 77. That’s what Michigan State and USU are ranked by CBS Sports respectively. The disparity between the two numbers exists for good reason. Put simply, MSU has what it takes to dominate this game. Last year the Spartans won 10 games, concluding their season with a blowout win against Washington State in the Holiday Bowl, and with 19 starters returning for them this season including junior quarterback Brian Lewerke, MSU, a good team last year, should become a great one this year. Regardless of the talent on USU’s roster, with last year’s team going 6-7, I can’t see this one shaking out to be anything but a blowout.
MSU 41, USU 6
Corbin Allen
If there was a game that USU was looking to get an upset in, this would be the one. Do I think that’s going to happen? No. Last year the Aggies didn’t exactly boast the best run defense, however, Michigan State’s run game struggled for most of the season. If the Aggies want a shot at this one, they will have to step up their run defense in an attempt to make Michigan State one dimensional. The biggest thing will be overcoming Michigan State’s defense.
MSU- 45 USU- 10
Adam Larson – @ajlars13
Utah State is coming off a mediocre season of 6-7 in 2017, while Michigan State had a good year at 10-3. The Aggies played Wisconsin last year to start the season and lost 59-10. This game is likely going to be very similar, especially because it is being played in Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans are looking to make the College Football Playoff this year, where the Aggies are looking to maybe win 10 games. Michigan State is going to win this game by just having bigger and faster players on the field at all times.
MSU – 49 USU – 13