Michigan State Football 2011: Better Pack a Lunch

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IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 30- Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Michigan State Spartans looks down field for a receiver during play against the University of Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 37-6 over Michig

David Purdy/Getty Images

"Better pack a lunch."

That's what George Perles said when anyone played those tough defenses he put together.

This time the defense will be fine, but the offense is led by Kirk Cousins, great running backs and fantastic depth at the receiver position, including tight ends. Special teams look good; it will all come down to the O-line and a tough schedule.

Here's how it will play out.

Sept. 2, Youngstown State

18 DECEMBER 1993: MARK BRUNGARD ( 12 ) OF THE PENGUINS IN ACTION AS YOUNGSTOWN STATE PENGUINS 17 DEFEATED MARSHALL THUNDERING HERD 5 AT MARSHALL UNIVERSITY STADIUM

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Mark Dantonio coached at Youngstown State for five years under Jim Tressel. He returns the favor by hosting them at Spartan Stadium. They of course have no chance, but all the best to them. 41-10.

Sept. 10, Florida Atlantic

SUNRISE, FL - OCTOBER 6: Goaltender Rick DiPietro #39 of the New York Islanders makes a glove save against the Florida Panthers in preseason action at the Bank Atlantic Center on October 6, 2008 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Imag

Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

I have no idea what this photo is all about, but that's all that's available on Getty Images. Geez, being a Detroiter, I love hockey, but c'mon. Here's Florida Atlantic's first three games this year, and this is disgraceful: At Florida, at Michigan State, at Auburn.

I absolutely refuse to pick a score here. Obviously an MSU win.

Sept. 17, Notre Dame

SOUTH BEND, IN - SETPEMBER 19: Blair White #25 of the Michigan State Spartans catches a touchdown pass over Darrin Walls #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on September 19, 2009 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Michigan S

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

OK, now we're talkin'. Notre Dame will win its share of these games in coming years. Brian Kelly will be excellent. All the respect in the world. But Michigan State is the better team this year, even on the road. Kirk Cousins is the difference here; ND can't match him. 31-21, State.

Sept. 24, Central Michigan

BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 01: Quarterback Brian Brunner #18 of the Central Michigan Chippewas passes the ball during the game against the Indiana Hooisers at Memorial Stadium on November 1, 2008 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Image

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Any MSU fan who doesn't take CMU seriously is a fool. I'm still feeling the vapors from back to back losses to CMU in the early '90s. Coach D will actually play AT CMU in coming years. He is truly a class act for doing that, and so is the AD. But this year, we beat them by 30.

Oct. 1, at Ohio State

7 Nov 1998: Running back Michael Wiley #5 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball during a game against the Michigan State Spartans at the Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The Spartans defeated the Buckeyes 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Al

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Been a while since we have played Ohio State. They are a program in turmoil, yet their talent is still the best in the Big Ten. That 1998 team was as good a college team as I have ever seen, yet a mediocre Spartan team went down there and handed them their only loss of the year. It was 28-24 then. Sounds about right to me. State wins. Michigan State, that is.

Oct. 15, Michigan

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 9: Sparty, the Michigan State University Spartans mascot, carries the American Flag during the game against the University of Illinois Fighting Illini at Spartan Stadium on October 9, 2004 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan St

Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images

At home. Four straight. It won't last forever, but Cousins isn't going to lose this one at home. A beatdown, 38-16.

Oct. 22, Wisconsin

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 26: Jeff Stehle #79 of the Wisconsin Badgers moves off the line against Rocco Cironi #57 of the Michigan State Spartans on September 26, 2009 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Wisconsin wants revenge. Unfortunately, they get us at home. On homecoming. At 8 p.m. They're tough, but Worthy backs up his comments. Kirk Cousins starts to be in the Heisman conversation. We win, 28-17.

Oct. 29, at Nebraska

7 Sep 1996: Wide receiver Derrick Mason of the Michigan State Spartans attempts to break free from the grasp of defensive back Eric Stokes of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during a reception in the Spartans 55-14 loss to the Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium in

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

OK, we drop one here. Maybe. It depends on the O-line and whether Kirk Cousins stays healthy. But home field has its advantages: Nebraska 24-18.

Nov. 5, Home Against Minnesota

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 11: Running back Amir Pinnix #29 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers carries the ball against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 11, 2006 in East Lansing, Michigan. Minnesota won 31-18. (Photo by Harry How/

Harry How/Getty Images

I think Minnesota will be much better than most folks believe. But not good enough to be competitive in Spartan Stadium. 41-13.

Nov. 12, at Iowa

IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 30- Running back Adam Robinson #32 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes is tackled by linebacker William Gholston #2 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half of play at Kinnick Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Iowa City,

David Purdy/Getty Images

This may be the toughest game to call. If Kirk Cousins and the receivers have the kind of game they are capable of having, State could win. But given last year's beatdown, I go with Iowa, 21-17. Damn.

Nov. 19, Indiana

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 19: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Michigan State Spartans turns to hand off against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on September 19, 2009 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Michigan State 33-30. (Photo by J

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

It's pretty sad when you search Getty Images for Indiana football and not a single pic shows up. So here's Kirk Cousins. I'm old enough to remember when Indiana won the Big Ten in 1967. I liked the Beatles, too, but they're both history. No score prediction on this one.

At Northwestern, Nov. 26

EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Jerel Worthy #99 of the Michigan State Spartans rushes towards Dan Persa #7 of the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jonathan Dan

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

This will be special. These two teams have played unbelievable games through the years, heartbreakers for both sides. Persa and Cousins will be great, and I only hope that they stay healthy and are drafted high. Both of these teams are headed for a big bowl. I think Edwin Baker is the difference in this one. Northwestern can't stop him, especially with an O-line that now has experience. Baker rushes for 180, and State wins, 32-21.

Prediction: Roses

1 Jan 1987: A view of the stadium at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Arizona State earned the title with a 22-15 win over Michigan. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell /Allsport

Mike Powell/Getty Images

MSU will win its division. After that, we will see. I'm pretty disgusted to go to Getty Images and search "Rose Bowl" and not find anything but soccer. Yuck. I can't wait for the college football season to start. Win or lose, I will always Bleed Green.

Pack that lunch, my friends.

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