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Michigan State Football: 2016 Game-by-Game Predictions

By Colton Wesley

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio celebrates with his team after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio celebrates with his team after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Wes Lunt (12) drops back for a pass in the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Wes Lunt (12) drops back for a pass in the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Week Nine: Michigan State (8-0) @ Illinois, November 5

Series History: First meeting in 1955, Michigan State leads the series 26-17-2.

What Happened Last Time: 2013: Michigan State won 42-3.

The Illinois Fighting Illini:

Former Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith has arrived in Champaign, which is one of the most intriguing hires by any program this offseason. He has not been a college coach for over 20 years, the last time he coached in college was as a defensive backs coach at Ohio State in 1995, and he has never been a head coach or coordinator at the college level. Then again, he also led the Bears to Super Bowl XLI. So, who knows?

The entire offense is only adequate. Wes Lunt is a competent starting quarterback who does not turn the ball over, the offensive line returns three starters, and the receiving corps is uninspiring. Most importantly, the Illini lost half of their rushing attack with Josh Ferguson’s departure, so unless Illinois can find someone else to give the rock to, Ke’Shawn Vaughn is going to have to be really good for the Illinois ground game to be competent.

Remember Hardy Nickerson from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? He was a Pro Bowl linebacker playing for Smith in Tampa Bay, had two stints in the NFL as his linebackers coach since 2007 and is now the defensive coordinator for Illinois. Dawuane Smoot returns at defensive end, but last season’s good secondary is basically starting over, with three of four starters departed. The good news for Illinois is that Smith has experience building great defenses, the bad news is that the Illini simply do not have the talent this season to build that defense right away.

Forecast:

Illinois’ non-explosive offense will struggle to score points. Michigan State’s passing and ground games will both have a field day while Smith and Nickerson begin implementing their defense with a lackluster roster. Spartans win in a romp.

Final Prediction:

Michigan State: Several touchdowns.

Illinois: One touchdown, probably in garbage time.

Should I Watch It?: Nah. TCU-Baylor and Alabama-LSU will be on, so catch the highlights for this one.

Season Record: 9-0

Next: Week Ten: v. Rutgers

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