Predictions For MSU & UM
By: Dennis Fithian
Michigan State vs. Boise State
Line: Spartans -6.5
Spartans defense is one of the top units in the country. Le`Veon Bell is one of the best backs in college football.
Broncos are used to playing top opponents early in the season as they try to continue to make a name for themselves. Boise State head coach Chris Peterson is worth a couple scores.
Prediction: Michigan State 26 Boise State 20
Spartan season prediction: 9-3
Could be a special year in East Lansing with the talent and the schedule.
I see an early Big Ten loss to Ohio State in East Lansing and consecutive road loss to Michigan & Wisconsin.
If MSU takes care of OSU in their Big Ten opener a 7-0 top ranked Spartan team will roll into Ann Arbor on October 20th. This is a great schedule that gives Andrew Maxwell time to break in as a starting quarterback. With a tremendous defense, great schedule and a top flight running back, 10 or 11 wins isn't crazy talk.
Michigan vs. Alabama
line: Tide -12
Alabama is scary under Nick Saban. Great defense and a punishing offensive line. Saban will make Denard Robinson win this game with his arm. Tide offensive line will be too tough for Wolverines front wall that has too many question marks. Playing the Tide now and having nothing to lose should benefit UM. Time to see how far Michigan has come physically in Brady Hoke's second year.
Prediction: Alabama 31 Michigan 20
Michigan season prediction:
Wolverines could play better this year and easily end up with eight or nine wins. Denard Robinson will miss Junior Hemingway as much as David Molk and Mark Huyge on the offensive line. Robinson's as much fun to watch as any Michigan player in its history. To be considered an all time great, he'll need to beat MSU and get UM to Pasadena. UM defensive coordinator did a great job last year bringing some respectability back to that side of the ball. Three losses on the defensive line will make the challenge much more difficult this season. Brady Hoke talked about physicality and toughness in his first news conference as head coach at Michigan. More than the score, how the Wolverines hold up in those two areas against the Crimson Tide will be telling. Losses to Alabama, Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State all away from the Big House this year. Beating Michigan State and having a shot in the Big Ten Championship Game to get to the Rose Bowl makes the four losses twice as nice as last year's two loss team.
Wolverines season prediction 8-4
