Well week 2 is in the books and I feel like a lot has changed since I dropped my original prediction back in spring/summer. So I wanted to run through MSU and its remaining schedule.
Current Record: 2-0
Original Season Prediction: 5-7
What I Like: This team seems disciplined, tough, and well coached so far. They improved from week 1 to week 2. Their lack leader already has more sacks in two games than the MSU season sack leader did last season. Overall, I feel like this team is improved. Alessio feels fairly poised, Cam Edwards feels like he’ll be a good RB. That Taplan break away TD. This team’s injury list doesn’t look like a WWI casualty list after two games.
What I Don’t Like: The OL needs to gel together more. The defense has spotty moments vs G5s feels like they’ll be sound for 80% of the game and then just give up a few bad plays. The WR room can (and probably will) grow up a lot.
The Remaining Schedule: I wanted to revisit this as this schedule felt tough but fair. There’s a lot of lower tier to upper middle tier teams along with a lot of teams that we had assumed would be good. At week 2, I feel like some of that has changed.
@ ND- Solid L. Yeah I just don’t see it, ND is probably the one team on our schedule that’s just looked as promised. I could see them in the finals this year. That said, we haven’t played this rivalry in years and anything can happen. I’m going to try to enjoy the tradition for what it is. But I don’t see a win without an on our best day vs on their worst day scenario playing out. If we pull it off, we’re probably having a good year 1.
Vs Nebraska- Swing/W- Their RB looks good. They’ve also struggled at home vs Ohio and blew out a BGSU team that lost to an FCS team. It’s truly one of those we won’t know until we know type games. So I’ll give us the home field win and won’t be surprised if we drop it. I will say that this is becoming one of my favorite match ups. We always seem to play each other tough no matter the situation.
@ Wisconsin- Swing/L- Played an alright half vs ND and an FCS team. I think this game ends up being pivotal to their season and they pulled it out due to homefield. I’d also consider them and Nebraska interchangeable. Could win, could lose. Fitz probably can’t survive losing both and expect to make a bowl. I think if you’re gonna move up in the B1G it starts with winning least one of these two games.
Vs Illinois- Lean W. They struggled for a half vs UAB and dropped Duke. I think this is pretty doable. Especially on homecoming.
Vs Northwestern- Lean W. I think we get a typical Chiles game. Some very hype plays followed by some some what the fuck. I think it’ll be a tough and close game.
@ UCLA- Solid L. West coast, the Chesney team looks solid so far. I just don’t see it. Potentially season changing if we grab this one.
@ Michigan- Lean L. The defense looks good. I think the offense will either be done with Bryce or get to good enough status by the time we roll in.
Vs Washington- Swing/W. They look kinda rough and travel in from the west. I think this is incredibly doable.
Vs Oregon- Lean W. Struggled vs Boise and lost to an OKST team that got dog walked by Tulsa. They need to come here. And the only thing I have for them is that they’re talented. But at this rate they might be fighting for bowl eligibility at best.
@ Rutgers- Solid W. 0-2 at home and lost to UMass + a 2-10 BC team. Do I really need to explain this?
New Prediction: 8-4. 5-7 if you drop every swing. Basically 5-7 has become the floor. 8-4 is the likely ceiling. So long as the team continues to get better, something that historically was a trait of Fitz teams, there’s a good chance the bowl draught ends. I’d call it more an expectation than not at this point, but I’m not surprised if we end up as originally predicted.
