Minnesota Football: 2017 game-by-game predictions
By Shane Lunnen
(Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
Minnesota welcomes another Big Ten East foe to Minneapolis as Sparty comes to town. The teams have not met since 2013, which was a Minnesota loss. The Gophers last beat the Spartans in 2006.
Michigan State bottomed out in 2016 with Mark Dantonio’s worst season at 3-9. There was a total lack of chemistry and the program has dismissed players due to off the field issues. The
Spartans can’t get much worse so they should have a better year, but think they are another year away from contending again in the conference.
More from Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Nebraska football vs Minnesota: How to watch, odds, injuries, weather, and series history
- The Big Ten Championship Game is looking for new locations
- Minnesota football: PJ Fleck could find himself on hot seat amid allegations
- Top non-conference ACC Football games in 2023
- Is P.J. Fleck the most disrespected coach in America?
The Spartans will be breaking in a new starting quarterback in Brian Lewerke. With young receivers too, they’ll have to develop chemistry. Luckily junior running back LJ Scott will be back. Scott fell six yards short of 1,000 yards last year and should top that mark this year.
The defense has not been the same since former defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi took the head coaching job at Pitt. There is a lot of veteran talent returning along the defensive front and the linebackers are led by versatile Chris Frey, who had 96 tackles a year ago. The secondary is young but talented.
Michigan State won’t be up to their championship years quite this soon and Minnesota will take advantage. The Gophers control the clock with their rushing attack. Lewerke is inconsistent but Scott will have a decent day, but in the end it’s not enough. Minnesota ends the losing streak against the Spartans and is 5-1 at mid-season.