College Football Picks Week 3: 5 Reasons Michigan State Will Beat Notre Dame

The Michigan State Spartans head into a hostile South Bend to face a desperate Notre Dame Fighting Irish squad on Saturday. 

This is a marquee match up for two teams that have begun the season on opposite ends of the spectrum. 

Michigan State is 2-0, which they should be, playing weaker competition; while Notre Dame is a disappointing 0-2 after losses to the University of South Florida and Michigan.

This game will be telling for both sides.

Fans of Michigan State get to see a true test, playing a tough game on the road. MSU is a team that is playing for respect because many critics think their overrated. The team travels to South Bend with high expectations and does not look to disappoint. 

On the other hand, Notre Dame fans will hope and pray that their season can be salvaged with a win. Without a victory, Notre Dame football's future will again be the hot topic around the water cooler. 

A rivalry renewed, this game promises to be one of the best of the week.

Here are the five reasons why Michigan State will defeat Notre Dame.

No. 5: Notre Dame Is Shell-Shocked

Notre Dame lost an instant classic last week in Ann Arbor. 

The Irish crumbled in the fourth quarter as the Wolverines landed the knockout blow with 0:02 seconds left. The ND faithful have to still be in disbelief. 

Early-season mishaps have doomed the Irish, and fans have to be nervous of an all-out collapse. The team is walking on egg shells at the moment—any mistakes, and their confidence will plummet. 

Look for Michigan State to make a statement early and take the crowd out of the game.  

No. 4: Kirk Cousins Is a Better Quarterback Than Tommy Rees

Senior Kirk Cousins is regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten.

He's battle tested and as accurate as they come. On the season, Cousins is 34-for-43 through the air without an interception. He's also MSU's career leader in completion percentage at 65.1 percent.

Notre Dame's Tommy Rees, a sophomore, is an impressive 51-for-73 on the season. His only knock is that he has four interceptions in just two games.

Cousins has all the experience needed, and in the end, experience wins.  

No. 3: Michigan State's Defense Is Better Than Notre Dame's Previous Competition

Michigan State's defense will not allow Notre Dame's offense to tally over 500 yards of offense like they did against each of their first two opponents.

Defensive tackle Jerel Worthy will cause havoc in the middle of the line, giving Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees and running back Cierre Wood fits.

Linebacker Max Bullough is an able replacement for former Spartan Greg Jones. Expect Bullough to make a name for himself after exposure on national television.

Also, cornerbacks Johnny Adams and Darqueze Dennard have a tough task in trying to contain Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd—but they'll be up to the challenge. 

Expect Michigan State's defense to frustrate Notre Dame's offense early and often.  

No. 2: Michigan State's Offense Is Relentless

Michigan State has one of the deepest offenses in the Big Ten. 

The Spartans feature a three-headed beast in the backfield with running backs Edwin Baker, Larry Caper and Le'Veon Bell.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins also has MSU's all-time receptions leader in B.J. Cunningham, dual threat Keshawn Martin and all-around athlete Keith Nichol to throw the ball to.

The Spartans' depth on offense will be a problem for Notre Dame. With three powerful running backs and a stable of receivers, MSU can flat out wear down the opposing defense.

They proved this in their last game, when they controlled the ball for over 42 minutes. Given, they did play Florida Atlantic, but the stat is impressive in itself.

Come this Saturday, the Spartans will control the ball, the tempo and the scoreboard.  

No. 1: Coaching

Michigan State Head Coach Mark Dantonio has turned the Michigan State football program around during his brief time in East Lansing. Now in his fifth season, Dantonio is 35-18.

Notre Dame fans had high hopes when Brian Kelly took over in South Bend. Then again, fans had tall aspirations for Charlie Weis and Ty Willingham too.

Brian Kelly finished 8-5 in his first season with Notre Dame and has slipped to 0-2 this year. Kelly is coaching a program that expects 10-win seasons; needless to say, there is little room for error left. Not to say Kelly is a "bad" coach, but he has yet to produce the desired results.

The first meeting between the two coaches last year provided plenty of drama. Michigan State pulled out a triumphant overtime victory, 34-31.

Dantonio will have his players focused and determined on Saturday. His calm demeanor speaks volumes to his kids. He leads by example and expects excellence.

Dantonio will have an elaborate plan of attack that will keep Notre Dame off balance, leading the Spartans to victory.