Saturday’s Michigan State-Notre Dame matchup in South Bend has the feel of a measuring-stick game for the Spartans, and the four Detroit News writers all see the same basic result: Notre Dame pulling away.
The Irish enter Notre Dame Stadium at 2-0 after opening with a 41-13 win over Wisconsin and following it with a 52-0 rout of Rice. Saline product CJ Carr has been central to that start, completing 71.4% of his passes for six touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s already drawing early Heisman Trophy buzz, and the consensus here is that he’s looked every bit the part.
Michigan State, meanwhile, is in its first season under Pat Fitzgerald and has opened with wins over Toledo and Eastern Michigan. The Spartans have looked revived under their new coach, but this is a much bigger test - and one that will say plenty about where the program really stands.
Angelique S. Chengelis pointed to Carr’s fast start and said Michigan State will need a productive run game from Cam Edwards to have a chance. Her pick: Notre Dame, 42-13.
Connor Earegood was even more blunt about the mismatch, noting the 29½-point line and calling this one “a guaranteed blowout” possibility. He still sees some things to like for Michigan State, especially its run game and the return of Jordan Hall after a week’s rest, but he expects Carr and the Irish defense to be too much. His pick: Notre Dame, 34-13.
John Niyo framed it as a rivalry renewal that comes with a harsh reality for the Spartans: they’re still a long way from Notre Dame’s level. He also highlighted Marcus Freeman’s defense, especially in the secondary, while noting that Notre Dame’s run game hasn’t shown the same explosiveness it had a year ago. His pick: Notre Dame, 38-10.
Bob Wojnowski wrote that Michigan State has met or slightly exceeded expectations so far, but this game will reveal a lot more about its progress under Fitzgerald. He emphasized Notre Dame’s 12-game winning streak dating to last season, its status as a 29.5-point favorite, and Leonard Moore’s role as “the best cornerback in the country.”
Wojnowski said the Spartans will need turnovers and breaks to stay close, but still sees too much Irish firepower. His pick: Notre Dame, 41-10.
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Michigan State Gets Its First Real Measuring Stick At Notre Dame
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For Michigan State, the challenge is obvious: survive the atmosphere, settle in quickly and make the game competitive enough to matter deep into the afternoon. The expectation is still for Notre Dame to win, but not by enough to fully separate from the Spartans, which leaves this one with a little more intrigue than a typical nonconference date. [Read more 🡒]
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Michigan States First Real Test Will Expose One Early Problem
Mel Tucker said this week he likes the way Michigan State believes it can win every game, and the early schedule has backed that up. The Spartans head into their meeting with undefeated Notre Dame with a chance to see how far that confidence can carry them against a ranked opponent that has already looked every bit the part. It is the first real measuring stick of the season, the kind of game that tends to reveal whether an opening stretch was simply solid or actually sustainable.
For Michigan State, the bigger question is how quickly the details tighten up once the level of competition rises. Consistency has to improve, and so does the run defense, because Notre Dame will make the Spartans prove they can hold up across four quarters. Special teams and field position also loom large, giving MSU another area where a clean performance could matter as much as anything else if it wants to turn this early confidence into something more lasting. [Read more 🡒]