Michigan State walks into South Bend on Saturday night for a prime-time test against No. 3 Notre Dame, and there’s at least one wrinkle worth keeping an eye on: new Spartans coach Pat Fitzgerald has never lost a game in South Bend as a player or coach.
That doesn’t mean the Irish are looking at this matchup with much fear. Michael Chen, lead writer for Fighting Irish Wire, said Notre Dame fans see this as a chance for one of the best versions of the Marcus Freeman era to show what it can do.
“This team is one of the best, if not the best, of the Marcus Freeman era,” Chen said.
Chen pointed to a defense loaded with options at every level. He singled out DT Francis Brewu, LB Kyngstonn Viliamau-Asa - who returned from injury and almost led the team in tackles vs.
Rice - and safety Adon Shuler as players who give DC Chris Ash plenty to work with. On offense, Notre Dame is leaning on what Chen called one of the best offensive lines in the country to protect CJ Carr.
The run game, he said, is still a work in progress, though there’s enough talent there to make it work.
As for how Irish fans view Michigan State, Chen said Fitzgerald’s presence would matter more if this were later in his tenure.
“If this wasn’t Pat Fitzgerald’s first season in East Lansing, I’d say they’d be a bit more worried,” Chen said. “He’s a proven coach with an impressive track record in elevating Northwestern.
Anytime Notre Dame faces a non-Purdue Big Ten team, there’s some hesitation about if the Irish are good enough. Those times have changed, and if you don’t have a number next to your name, fans aren’t as worried as they have been in the past.”
If Michigan State is going to pull off the upset, Chen believes the path starts with slowing down Notre Dame through the air. Carr has been sharp early and was PFF’s top-graded quarterback during Week 2. With the Irish run game still not fully clicking, Chen said that’s the opening the Spartans would need.
“It would have to be due to shutting down Notre Dame’s passing game,” Chen said. “Carr has looked elite so far.
He was PFF’s top-graded quarterback during Week 2. With how average the run game has looked, this would be the path for an upset.
It’s easier said than done, as OC Mike Denbrock is one of the best in the country and the offensive line has potential to be dominant.”
Chen also dismissed the idea that Fitzgerald’s 2-0 record in South Bend will carry much weight inside Notre Dame’s building.
“I think those wins are so far away that it really doesn’t matter much,” Chen said. “We all know he’s a good to great coach, as his stint with the Wildcats was their most successful run in the history of their program.
Again, if this was three, four years into his tenure, the story would be different. However, with it being his first season, I think Notre Dame takes advantage of personnel that might not fit scheme yet.”
His prediction lines up with the idea that the Irish can wear Michigan State down as the night goes on.
“Like Notre Dame’s opener, I think this will be a game through the half, then with a much better coaching staff, will take off in the final 30 minutes,” Chen said. “Freeman’s staff is one of the best in the country, and it already has paid dividends in the first two games. This was the first year of his tenure that he didn’t have to replace either during the offseason, and I think that shows big time on Saturday night.”
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Michigan State Has A Real Chance To Make Notre Dame Sweat
Michigan State heads into its matchup with No. 3 Notre Dame as a huge underdog on paper, with the Irish laying 29.5 points, but theres a real case to be made that the Spartans can keep this one from getting out of hand. Recent performance has made the spread look awfully aggressive, and the changes under coach Pat Fitzgerald have at least given Michigan State a different baseline than the one oddsmakers may be pricing in.
The total sits at 52.5, which says plenty about the uncertainty around how this game might actually play out. Notre Dame is the better team, of course, but if Michigan State can slow the pace, avoid the kind of early unraveling that turns a game into a runaway, and make the Irish work for every possession, this could be the kind of matchup that has bettors and fans watching the number as closely as the scoreboard. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan States Big Ten Draw Just Fueled Another Title Debate
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Even with the favorable setup, nothing in the Big Ten comes easy, and the real test will be how the Spartans handle the stretch drive once the league season gets into its more demanding rhythm. There are enough potential landmines ahead to keep expectations in check, but also enough opportunity for Michigan State to turn a manageable slate into something more ambitious. If the Spartans are going to get back into the title picture, this is the kind of schedule that gives them a chance to do it. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Faces A Bigger Rebuild Debate Than Fans Expected
Michigan States football reset under new head coach Pat Fitzgerald was always going to take more than a clean coaching hire and a fresh depth chart. After major staff and roster turnover, the Spartans are trying to rebuild the program with a measured approach, and a new report from The Athletic suggests that strategy extends all the way to how much the school is willing to spend on the roster.
The numbers help explain why the early phases of this rebuild may look different from the arms race around the Big Ten. Michigan State is in the middle of the conference pack in estimated roster spending, while the leagues top end has pulled away into its own class. For a fan base eager to see the Spartans climb back quickly, the more interesting question now is whether this conservative approach is a temporary bridge or the shape of Fitzgeralds long-term plan. [Read more 🡒]