It could be an interesting year in East Lansing. 247 Sports analyst Josh Pate recently echoed that statement on his Late Kick podcast.

“Michigan State’s the most fascinating team to watch in the B1G this season and that includes all the teams in the West,” explained Pate. “It really comes down to does it just verify?

“Last year, your eyes didn’t deceive you, you saw what you saw…but then you enter 2022, the over/under win total is 7.5.”

The Spartans concluded their 2021 season with a 11-2 record (7-2 B1G), including a bowl victory in the Peach Bowl against Pittsburgh. Head coach Mel Tucker accomplished this despite the Spartans having the worst pass defense in the country, allowing 337.7 yards per game.

Michigan State will also have to replace Doak Walker Award winner Kenneth Walker III on offense.

“If you believe in what Mel Tucker’s cooking up there – like I do – then Michigan State becomes the kind of team where the culture and the identity lends itself to blind belief in the preseason. There may be some names I don’t know yet, but I know Michigan State’s way. Therefore, I will know those players by season’s end.”

Clearly, Pate has some intrigue on Michigan State. The Spartans open their season against Western Michigan on Sept. 2.