Caleb Wilfinger
Show Bio
The 2021 season was a pleasant surprise for Michigan State fans. The Spartans put together an improbable campaign out of nowhere, finishing 10-2 and earning a trip to a New Year’s Six bowl game. Led by star running back Kenneth Walker, Mel Tucker’s team knocked off Michigan and Penn State as part of an excellent campaign. However, the loss of Walker could prove to be costly. Payton Thorne is returning at quarterback, and he’ll be aided by a few weapons acquired in the transfer portal. On the other hand, the Spartans’ defense needs to show improvement if they are to compete this fall.
With the 2022 college football campaign beginning later this month, it’s time to take a look at what the season could have in store for Michigan State.
Jared Smith has a HUGE 3-unit futures play for the upcoming college football season
Michigan State Spartans 2022 college football season odds
Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Michigan State Spartans National Championship odds
Michigan State comes in at +12000 to win the College Football Playoff. That checks in alongside Pittsburgh and Kentucky.
Michigan State Big Ten Championship odds
The Spartans are +2800 to win the Big Ten title, checking in alongside the likes of Minnesota and Purdue.
Michigan State Big Ten East odds
Michigan State is projected to finish 4th in the Big Ten East, with odds of +1800 to win the division.
Read our College Football National Championship preview, including a +8000 longshot
Michigan State 2021 season recap
2021 was a season to remember for Michigan State fans everywhere. Kenneth Walker was the best running back in the nation, Payton Thorne was effective and Mel Tucker’s transfer portal wizardry paid off. The Spartans finished 10-2, including a memorable victory over Michigan in one of the best games of the season. Despite a few embarrassing losses to Ohio State and Purdue, Michigan State outperformed all expectations and silenced Tucker’s critics in his second season. What will the Spartans do for an encore in 2022?
Michigan State 2022 college football season predictions
After losing talent to the transfer portal and NFL Draft, Michigan State reloaded in the offseason. Most teams get players from the transfer portal to fill holes. Tucker got legitimate impact players, with at least 8 about to play significant roles on both sides of the ball. The loss of Walker hurts, but a new dynamic pair of running backs will fill in nicely in Jarek Broussard and Jalen Berger. Michigan State also reworked its offensive line, filling in gaps at left guard and tackle.
The biggest issue in 2021 was the lack of a decent secondary. While that still could plague the Spartans in 2022 (especially against a team like Ohio State), Michigan State’s pass rush should be excellent. Overall, the defense is a make-or-break group for the Spartans this season. While a Big Ten championship likely isn’t in the cards, don’t count out Tucker and this motivated Spartans team to have another successful season.
Best Bet: Michigan State over 7.5 wins (-130)
While Michigan State feels like a more well-rounded team compared to last season, the schedule is tougher. The Spartans should get a couple of easy wins out of the gate before a 3-game stretch against Washington, Minnesota and Maryland. Michigan State should win 2 of those games, bringing its record to 4-1 on the year. From there, the Spartans have a 3-week gauntlet of Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan. These are brutal games to have in succession, and I’m only expecting 1 win here.
Thankfully, the schedule softens up from that point. In the remaining 4 games, the Spartans are only projected underdogs in 1 contest. Therefore, I see an 8-4 season as a pretty reasonable possibility. Even with a comparable — or better — team than last season, this is a tough road ahead for Tucker’s bunch. Nonetheless, I believe they find a way to grab at least 8 wins this fall.
Who could be this season’s Cincinnati? Read our non-Power 5 conference dark horses
At Pickswise we offer free expert College Football Picks and College Football Predictions for all games in the Power Five conferences and the top 25 teams outside of Power five, including our College Football Parlay picks each week.
