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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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Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) passes the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers in the second half at the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Tennessee defeated Northwestern 45-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) passes the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers in the second half at the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Tennessee defeated Northwestern 45-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

Week Six: Michigan State (5-0) v. Northwestern, October 15

Series History: First meeting in 1905, Michigan State leads the series 37-17.

What Happened Last Time: 2013: Michigan State won 30-6.

The Northwestern Wildcats:

Last year, no one ever knew what to expect from the Wildcats. They went five-for-five in games decided by one possession. They won close, low-scoring games against Stanford and Wisconsin, but also got blown out by Michigan, Iowa and Tennessee. Bill Connelly of SB Nation argues that Northwestern’s ten wins last season were a fluke, and that they may regress quite a bit in 2016.

Justin Jackson leads a decent rushing attack for the Wildcats, but the most important question will be whether or not Clayton Thorson has taken a much-needed step forward from his freshman year. He threw seven touchdowns and nine interceptions and also fumbled nine times in 2015. He has little to work with, being protected by a patchwork offensive line and throwing to a group of receivers who have experience but have never been very productive.

Northwestern’s defense was exceptional last season, but they will need to replace a lot of departed players, including second-team All-Big Ten defensive end Dean Lowry, if they want to be that good again. Star middle linebacker Anthony Walker will be the centerpiece of the defense and they will work hard and make their fair share of plays, but the unit likely regresses a bit in 2016 because of those personnel changes.

Forecast:

The Wildcats will need to throw the ball a lot if they want to keep pace with the Spartans, which means that Thorson will be under duress the entire game. Expect Michigan State to create turnovers and pull away in the second half.

Final Prediction:

Michigan State: It’s homecoming, so probably a Kermit the Frog interview on TV.

Northwestern: 14 points and a scrappy play or two for the highlight reel.

Should I Watch It?: DVR it just in case, but unless Northwestern keeps it close going into the fourth quarter, highlights should suffice.

Season Record: 6-0

Next: Week Seven: @ Maryland

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