Michigan State vs. Notre Dame Prediction, Game Preview
Michigan State vs. Notre Dame prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins between the Spartans and Fighting Irish.
Michigan State vs. Notre Dame prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins between the Spartans and Fighting Irish.
Michigan State vs. Notre Dame Game Preview
When: Saturday, Sept. 17 – 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Ind.
TV Broadcast: NBC
This rivalry dates back to the 1800s, and includes such classics as the 1966 battle between No. 1 Notre Dame and No. 2 Michigan State that ended in a 10-10 tie. More recently, 10 of the 14 meetings since 2000 have been decided by seven points or fewer, including Michigan State’s 34-31 overtime victory in 2010 on a fake field goal called Little Giants that literally gave Spartans coach Mark Dantonio a heart attack.
Notre Dame has won the three matchups since, though, with last coming in 2013 when the Irish took advantage of four controversial pass interference penalties against the Spartans to win 17-13. Michigan State will be looking to end that losing streak and win in South Bend for the first time since 2007.
What To Know About Michigan State
The No. 12-ranked Spartans have a lot to prove after struggling in a 28-13 win over FCS foe Furman on Sept. 2. Tyler O’Connor’s stat line looked fine – 13 of 18 for 190 yards and three touchdowns – but he also threw an interception and stared down only one receiver on multiple plays in his second career start. Sophomore running back LJ Scott likely will get plenty of work, and a defense led by All-America candidate Malik McDowell and linebacker Riley Bullough will need to step up against a potent Fighting Irish offense.
What to Know About Notre Dame
Coach Brian Kelly has gone with DeShone Kizer as his starting quarterback, and Kizer hasn’t disappointed. He’s completed 71.4 percent of his passes with seven touchdowns, including a pair in Saturday’s 39-10 win over Nevada. Kizer’s performance helped the Irish move past the sting of that double-overtime loss to Texas as they finished with 444 total yards – the exact amount they had against the Longhorns. The defense looked vastly different in those games, though, and this one could come down to which version shows up Saturday.
Advantages
Offense: Notre Dame – Josh Adams and Tarean Folston complement Kizer. MIchigan State has Scott, but O’Connor needs to prove he can guide the Spartans’ unit.
Defense: Michigan State – This has always been a staple of Dantonio teams. McDowell needs to get in the backfield and provide pressure on Kizer.
Special Teams: Notre Dame – Michigan State is still having trouble with kick coverage.
Coaching: Even – It’s hard to go wrong with either staff, as both are led by accomplished head coaches.
Intangibles: Notre Dame – It’s never easy going into South Bend.
Matchup To Watch
Kizer vs. McDowell/Bullough
MIchigan State will be in for a long day if it can’t contain Kizer’s dual-threat abilities. It starts with McDowell up front and Bullough manning the middle if Kizer gets through.
Michigan State vs. Notre Dame Betting Odds
Spread: Notre Dame -7 1/2
Over/Under: N/A
Michigan State vs. Notre Dame Prediction
The defenses take focus in a stalemate that goes deep into the fourth quarter. The Irish get a late field goal and make a defensive stand to hold on. Michigan State covers, but fails to notch that elusive victory in South Bend.
Michigan State vs. Notre Dame Score Prediction: Notre Dame 17, Michigan State 14
