2018 Football Preview -Big Ten – Spartans
Looking for 2018 Michigan State Spartans predictions? The Spartans bounced back in a big way last year winning ten games and for the fourth time in five years they won at least ten games.
NCAA Football Gambling Lines
2018-19 College Football Preview – Michigan State Spartans
Head Coach: Mike Dantonio
2017 Record: 10-3
Michigan State Spartans Odds to win the 2018 FBS Championship:
Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today
***More 2018 NCAA Football Team Season Previews***
2016 was clearly nothing more than a speed bump as they bounced back with ten wins in 2017 and they’ll look to continue that in 2018. In fact, this is a team that eye towards winning the Big Ten and heading to the College Football Playoff.
2018 Michigan State Spartans Predictions: Team Strengths
Bringing Back the Band: Michigan State has prided itself on its defense for a number of years now under Dantonio. 2018 will be no different as the Spartans bring back just about everybody from their top ten defense from last year.
Leading tackler from last year, Joe Bachie, returns and will look to take more of a step in a leadership role this year as he heads into his junior year.
Bachie is a potential Lombardi/Butkus award winner this year. Or, at least, he should be if Michigan State wants to get to where they want to go.
Kenny Willeks was a disruptive force on the defensive line making 73 tackles and recording seven sacks. Willeks was another sophomore last year and he’ll look to continue to grow this coming year.
[dfads params=’groups=220&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
Raequan Williams, yet another sophomore from last year, was a big time run stopper at defensive tackle and he is a real game changer. It was next to impossible to run on the Spartans last year – as they were top ten in that category, as well and it will be a stiff challenge to get anything on the ground.
Remember the no fly zone from a few years back? Yep, this Spartans team has a chance to recreate that type of defensive pass attack. Justin Layne, who – and stop me if you heard this – was a sophomore last year.
Layne is a tall, lanky, shutdown cornerback. He’s essentially the type of cornerback the Seattle Seahawks like. Layne is a really talented cornerback that basically takes away his side of the field.
Also, don’t forget about Josiah Scott on the other side. Scott played impressively as a freshman last year and he’ll look to continue to grow. Junior free safety, David Dowell, had five interceptions last year taking away the middle of the field and Khari Willis is the senior that will lead the secondary and bring the hard hits.
Their Offense is Pretty Good Too: We haven’t even talked about the offensive side of the ball. That’s a pretty big strength, as well.
Junior quarterback, Brian Lewerke, was solid last year. Lewerke had a completion percentage of just under 60%, but the big key was he didn’t make too many mistakes.
Lewerke only threw seven interceptions and if he can keep his interceptions down and improve his efficiency Michigan State will be in a great spot.
Lewerke will have plenty of toys to work with as Felton Davis, Darrell Stewart, and Cody White are big, reliable weapons out wide that will help out Lewerke.
Also, in the back field, L.J. Scott is back heading into his tenth season as a Spartan. Not really, but he will be starting for the fourth straight year and will look to get back to rushing for over a thousand yards this year.
2018 Michigan State Spartans Predictions: Team Weaknesses
Not Much: If there’s a weakness on this team, it might be their offensive line. Rather, it’s not as strong as it typically is under Dantonio. Cole Chewins is a solid left tackle, but he’s not a Jack Conklin.
Also, the Spartans will have to replace Brian Allen who was drafted in the fourth round in last year’s NFL Draft.
[dfads params=’groups=259&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
Ironically, Brian Allen’s brother – Matt – will be the leading candidate to step into the starting role at center. Kevin Jarvis is a great right guard and Jordan Reid can plug up any hole you need him to.
Again, this is probably the weakest point for the Spartans. There aren’t too many holes and this is a strong team from top to bottom.
Michigan State Spartans Prediction: 10-2
All the stars are seemingly lining up for the Spartans. Not only does Michigan State have a lot of talent, but their schedule is pretty favorable.
Michigan State gets a not too tough, but stiff enough challenge out of schedule. They open the year against Utah State and then they travel to Arizona State.
Michigan State is a better team than Arizona State, but don’t underestimate that heat even when the sun won’t make an appearance.
[dfads params=’groups=219&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
The game to watch out for is the road game against Penn State. That will be the game that potentially determines how the Big Ten will shake out this year.
Remember, Penn State and Michigan State both reside in the same division within the Big Ten; along with Michigan and Ohio State in easily the toughest division in college football.
It’s absolutely absurd how strong it was last year and how strong it could be again this year.
The good news is that Michigan State gets Michigan and Ohio State at home. The last banana peel they’ll have to avoid is Nebraska on the road after playing Ohio State the previous week.
Especially, if they beat Ohio State. They’ll have to avoid a letdown, on the road, against a potentially rejuvenated Nebraska team. Obviously, depending on how the season shakes out for them under Mark Frost’s first year.
All in all, I’ve got Michigan State going 10-2, but if you were to tell me they only lose a game or heck, even go undefeated, I could see it. That’s not out of the question; it’s just really, really tough to do that in college football. However, anything less than ten wins would be a disappointment.
Bottom line, though, is that this is a team that can win the division; win the Big Ten and be a College Football Playoff team.
2018 Michigan State Spartans Football Schedule
- 8/31/18 7:00 PM ET USU
- 9/8/18 10:45 PM ET @ASU
- 9/22/18 TBD @IND
- 9/29/18 TBD CMU
- 10/6/18 TBD NW
- 10/13/18 TBD @PSU
- 10/20/18 TBD MICH
- 10/27/18 TBD PUR
- 11/3/18 TBD @MD
- 11/10/18 TBD OSU
- 11/17/18 TBD @NEB
- 11/24/18 TBD RUTG
What do you think about our 2018 Michigan State Spartans predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2018!
The 2018 College futures betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on NCAA football, you are in the best possible place for online betting. CappersPicks.com has NCAAF odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find College football lines up for early games as well.
Check out our Updated College Football Betting Odds.
[dfads params=’groups=218&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
