EAST LANSING — No logical reason exists to think Michigan State football will be tested by Prairie View A&M on Saturday.
The Spartans are back at home coming off an offensive awakening in last week’s 27-24 win at Maryland, a Big Ten victory in the second game of the year. The connection of quarterback Aidan Chiles and wide receiver Nick Marsh delivered big plays and a comeback victory on the road, jolting the players and fans with confidence not felt in three years.
Next up is a Football Championship Subdivision opponent that won six games in the lower rung of Division I football a year ago, hasn’t won a conference title since 2009 and has never defeated a major college football program. MSU has never lost to an FCS opponent in eight previous games.
Vegas feels and is feeding the vibe, too. Though many have not installed a favorite, in the few sportsbooks that are offering betting on the game, the Spartans sit as a 40½-point favorite Thursday afternoon. The Spartans have scored only 43 points all season.
Of course, just ask former No. 5 Notre Dame how much any of that matters. Or formerly unranked Northern Illinois.
Or Jonathan Smith.
Michigan State Spartans head coach Jonathan Smith walks the sidelines during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 in College Park, Md.
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS: Michigan State vs. Prairie View A&M prediction and scouting report
“It’s always about us, it’s always about our process,” the first-year MSU coach said Monday. “This idea of a trap game or something, there’s no such thing as a trap game. These guys will have our full attention. We respect every opponent we play.”
MSU (2-0) will play Prairie View (1-1) for the first time in the schools’ history. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Spartan Stadium (BTN).
Since starting to…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-football-preparing-faceless-100655025.html
Author : Detroit Free Press
Publish date : 2024-09-13 10:06:55
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