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Let’s take a look at our writers’ score predictions for Michigan State football’s Week 6 matchup against BYU.
Taking a 2-2 record into Week 6 against the 2-3 BYU Cougars, Michigan State football is looking for a confidence-booster. The Spartans have been struggling to find their groove all season long and that’s a bit surprising seeing as the state of the team was positive after a Notre Dame win three weeks ago.
The Spartans have made some changes at a couple of positions for this week, mainly on the offensive line, and they’re hoping that pays off in the passing and ground games.
Michigan State is only a six-point favorite, according to Vegas, but that doesn’t mean the Spartans won’t come out angry and put a beat-down on the Cougars. BYU is entering hostile territory and they don’t realize what’s about to happen in East Lansing.
Playing an angry Michigan State team is a scary thought. Let’s take a look at what our writers believe the final score will be.
Connor Muldowney: Michigan State is not happy right now. Playing with a sense of urgency will pay dividends and Tyler O’Connor will look like a different quarterback against a lackluster BYU defensive backfield. The Spartans might struggle with Jamaal Williams in the run game, especially with Riley Bullough, Jon Reschke and Raequan Williams out, but Michigan State’s offense will take a giant leap in the right direction.
Prediction: BYU 24, Michigan State 35
Stephen Robb: BYU is a dangerous team for Michigan State. It has played every team tough this year and BYU’s three losses are by a combined total of seven points. The Cougars are much better than their record and have played excellent competition. MSU is a team that is soul searching and this is a difficult game to predict because it could go either way.
This game will be a back-and-forth competition since BYU seems to match opponents thus far. Dantonio and Co. have made roster changes that could benefit this team. Michigan State cuts down on mistakes and finds its offensive groove.
Prediction: BYU 31, Michigan State 34
Michael Briggs: This week’s matchup with BYU was picked as a trap game for MSU heading into the season. After consecutive losses, this game is now a must-win if the Spartans hope to salvage what is left of their 2016 campaign.
If Michigan State is going to get it done, it will need an inspired effort from its reserves, as starting linebackers Riley Bullough and Jon Reschke and defensive tackle Raequan Williams are listed as out due to injuries. Superstar defensive tackle Malik McDowell is also serving a two-quarter suspension for the personal foul penalty he committed last week against Indiana. The BYU offense, meanwhile, is averaging 27.6 points per game and leads the nation with a 100 percent conversion rate (18-for-18 with 11 touchdowns) in the red zone this season — not ideal timing for MSU.
If the Spartans can manage to fix their offensive struggles, however, there is hope for a MSU victory. As effective as the Cougars have been offensively, they have been just as inept defensively. This season, BYU is allowing 444.2 yards per game and 28.2 points. That includes a monster performance last week from Toledo, which racked up 692 yards and 53 points against BYU. If MSU can’t figure out this defense, it’s very possible Spartan fans will be begging for this team to just make a bowl game in 2016.
Although some have already jumped ship, I have faith Dantonio will get MSU back on course against BYU.
Prediction: BYU 27, Michigan State 38
Daniel Gottschalk: This is a difficult game to pick. With Malik McDowell out for the first half and Raequan Williams out all game, the Spartans are dangerously thin on the defensive line. BYU, while 2-3, has lost their three games by a combined seven points.
Every game the Cougars have played has been decided by three points or less. O’Connor will have a chance to exploit BYU’s porous pass defense, which ranks 120th in the nation at 310 yards per game. BYU gave up 53 points to Toledo last week, but two of their other games were in the teens. If this were a road game, I would go with BYU here, but I think Michigan State turns it around at home this week and squeaks out a victory.
Prediction: BYU 27, Michigan State 28
Andrew Erdman: Michigan State is on a two-game losing streak and has not looked like the team we all thought it could potentially be this season. Will the players-only meeting help the team this week? Will the defense get back to playing “Spartan Dawg” defense? The injuries are mounting on that side of the ball with Riley Bullough likely out again, Jon Reschke is out, Raequan Williams out and Malik McDowell is suspended for the first half.
BYU has had a pretty tough schedule so far this season playing Utah, UCLA, West Virginia and Arizona. All three of the Cougars’ losses were decided by three points or less. This game is going to be close and could come down to who has the ball last. I think the offense for MSU will finally get back on track and lead MSU to a close victory.
Prediction: BYU 20, Michigan State 24
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