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Big Ten football: predicting the final records in the East

By Christopher Mangum

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 29: Kris Jenkins #94 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts against the Michigan State Spartans during the second quarter at Michigan Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 29: Kris Jenkins #94 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts against the Michigan State Spartans during the second quarter at Michigan Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 29: Payton Thorne #10 hands the ball off to Jalen Berger #8 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half of a college football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 29: Payton Thorne #10 hands the ball off to Jalen Berger #8 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half of a college football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

5. Michigan State

Current record/rank: 3-5 (1-4 Big Ten), Unranked
Projected record: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
Best win: Wisconsin (34-28 OT)

From the start of the season to right now, Michigan State football has been drastically different than expected. Despite an 11-2 season last year, the loss of Kenneth Walker III has impacted the Spartans more than most thought, and caused them to stumble into a 3-5 record.

After a 2-0 start Michigan State football was trending close to the top-10 in the nation. The Spartans beat two MAC programs to open non-conference play, but everything changed after the Washington game. Washington exposed the flaws in the Spartans’ team and took home a belittling 39-28 loss that felt worse than the score indicates.

After the Washington loss, Michigan State lost its next three games, dropping to a harsh 2-4 on the season. The Spartans found a way to edge out an OT win in a thrilling game against the 4-4 Wisconsin Badgers, before losing Paul Bunyan in Ann Arbor, 29-7.

Right now it seems as if Michigan State football is at a crucial point in the season. The Spartans are 3-5, have little left to prove, and a few hard games coming up. Michigan State’s remaining schedule is at No. 14 Illinois, vs Rutgers, vs Indiana, and at No. 16 Penn State. I think MSU has the edge over Rutgers and IU, but I cannot see the Spartans beating either ranked team on its schedule.

If Michigan State can find a way to pull off one upset, which is very possible, we could see the Spartans going bowling this year. After the 2-4 start, I think most Michigan State fans would take that right now. That being said, I have no reason to give MSU the benefit of the doubt just yet. They have not played well on the road so far this year and are struggling in most phases of the game. I’d say 5-7 is fair, and even then you could argue that Rutgers or IU will find a way.

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