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Michigan State beat writer picks every game for Spartans in 2017
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Depending on your expectations for Michigan State in 2017, a 7-5 record might be a huge relief or a major disappointment.
But that’s what Spartans beat writer Chris Solari predicted for the upcoming season. The Detroit Free Press reporter picked every game for Michigan State, predicting the squad to finish two games above the .500 mark.
That seems like a fair assessment for the Spartans, especially considering the 3-9 year they endured last fall. But Solari did predict one surprising win for Mark Dantonio and Co. He has Michigan State pulling off an upset in Ann Arbor and knocking off the Wolverines on Oct. 7.
Here’s his reasoning behind the upset bid:
A stunner, you say? Perhaps. However, the Wolverines are in the same position the Spartans were a year ago with a number of new faces who have not experienced this rivalry. That growth – and last year’s loss – fires up MSU defensive tackles Mike Panasiuk and Raequan Williams to set the tone in the trenches
That’ll ruffle some feathers in Ann Arbor.
A 7-5 record would get Michigan State back to bowl eligibility and a win over its in-state rival would likely cool any talks about Dantonio being on the hot seat. It’s not the typical B1G title year that the green and white have become accustomed to having, but it beats the heck out of 3-9.
Michigan State opens the season next Saturday against Bowling Green.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB