Staff Predictions for Rutgers Football versus Michigan State
It's almost Rutgers Football game day as the team heads back home this weekend with Big Ten Conference play now in full swing, as they will face off at 12:00pm ET against Michigan State inside of SHI Stadium.
Before that though, our staff here at The Knights Report offers our predictions for how we see Saturday afternoon's between the Scarlet Knights and Spartans playing out.
RUTGERS FOOTBALL (-6.0pts) VS. MICHIGAN STATE
RICHIE SCHNYDERITE (Rutgers: 20 || Michigan State: 14)
"With the weather expected to be pretty ugly on Saturday, look for both teams to try and get things going through their run game, just as they both have pretty much all season long so far.
Now while both teams sports solid run games, the Scarlet Knights have the better defense between the two programs and that should be enough to put them over the top here as they should be able to cover yet again and earn their fifth victory of the season. Don't expect much scoring on either side here as Rutgers wins by six on Saturday."
CRAIG EPSTEIN (Rutgers: 24 || Michigan State: 10)
"In what could be regarded as the biggest game so far in the Schiano 2.0 era, I believe Rutgers will answer the call. Although they are coming off a bye week, Michigan State is a mess right now and a team the Scarlet Knights should be able to beat if they want to prove they are at least in the middle of the pack of the Big Ten. It might not come pretty, but this is a game Rutgers can and should win."
MIKE BROADBENT (Rutgers: 21 || Michigan State: 13)
“With heavy rain in the forecast and Michigan State breaking in a redshirt freshman QB in Katin Houser, this game is predictably ugly.
Both defenses stifle the run in a low scoring affair that sees the scoring open up in the 2nd half. Rutgers knocks around the freshman and forces two turnovers, including a strip sack, scoop and score in the 4th quarter to ice the game."
ALEX GLEITMAN (Rutgers: 20 || Michigan State: 16)
"While many see the mess that Michigan State is this season and think Rutgers is going to skate right past the Spartans, I actually think this is going to be a battle. MSU is well-rested coming off a bye and there’s reason to feel good if you root for the Green and White about some of the matchups in this one. That said, I feel the RU defense will be very effective against the Sparty offense, I think Rutgers has a massive head coaching advantage, I think there is a sort of revenge factor in this game, and it’s being played in Piscataway. I expect a low scoring slug fest for a while, but think Rutgers pulls this one out."
ALEC CROUTHAMEL (Rutgers: 26 || Michigan State: 21)
"Alec (Intern): The Scarlet Knights make it a little bit closer than it should be but they manage to take it home despite suboptimal conditions. The defense gives Katin Houser fits, forcing two interceptions in his first start. Kyle Monangai rushes for two touchdowns and Gavin Wimsatt throws for another to Ian Strong as the running game once again isn’t as effective but does just enough to take it as Kyle Monangai runs for 80 yards. Rutgers is one win shy of bowl eligibility and have a prime opportunity with a trip to Indiana."
RYAN O'BLENESS OF SPARTANS ILLUSTRATED (Michigan State: 24 || Rutgers: 21)
"Both teams are going to once again rely on the rushing attack in this one, and that will be especially true if the conditions are wet and sloppy as expected, and if Michigan State makes a change from Noah Kim to Katin Houser at quarterback. I think it's going to come down to which defense can neutralize the opposing offense's ground attack and put the pressure to win on the opponent's quarterback. Rutgers' Gavin Wimsatt is completing less than 52% of his passes, while Michigan State's Noah Kim is turnover-prone and has his own accuracy and arm strength issues, and if the Spartans go with Houser, he's obviously inexperienced and won't be counted on to do too much.
This is obvious, but the team that controls the clock and establishes dominance in the ground game, and limits turnover and penalties (something MSU has struggled with), will likely win this game.
Rutgers has a very good defense that ranks in the top-15 nationally in total defense, pass defense and points allowed per game. This doesn't appear to be a typical Rutgers team from past years. The Scarlet Knights are tough and well-coached.
However, I have a feeling that Michigan State gets interim head coach Harlon Barnett his first win at the helm this weekend, and the Spartans get that weight of their shoulders. The team ha stayed together through all of the turmoil and is focused.
A heavy dose of running back Nathan Carter, more emphasis on protecting the football and a late field goal by Jonathan Kim gets the Spartans a close victory in a closely-contested game throughout."
| NAME | OVERALL RECORD |
|---|---|
|
Richie Schnyderite |
6-0 |
|
Craig Epstein |
5-1 |
|
Mike Broadbent |
5-1 |
|
Alex Gleitman |
6-0 |
|
Alec Crouthamel |
6-0 |
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