Michigan State football vs. Toledo: 5 determining factors and a prediction
Columnist Graham Couch looks at the Spartans' season opener against Toledo and makes his prediction for Friday night's game at Spartan Stadium.
Michigan State will take on Toledo in a crucial football game this Friday at Spartan Stadium. The game will air on FS1 and the Fox Sports App at 8:05 p.m. The betting line currently has Michigan State favored by 10 points.
One key player to watch is Cam Edwards, the running back transfer from Connecticut. Coach Pat Fitzgerald believes Edwards could be the best running back in the country. Edwards averaged 5.9 yards per carry last season at UConn, which could be valuable for MSU's offense.
Another important aspect is MSU's revamped offensive line. This unit has undergone significant changes with three transfers and 110 total starts among the five projected starters. If the line stays healthy, it could be a major help to Cam Edwards and the overall offensive production.
MSU quarterback Alessio Milivojevic showed promise in his four starts last November. He demonstrated good resilience and accuracy, which could bolster the Spartans' passing attack. However, it remains to be seen if Milivojevic can elevate the team's play.
MSU's defense also has potential to be effective this season. With key returnees like Chuck Brantley at corner, and proven players like Jordan Hall and Nikai Martinez at linebacker and safety, the Spartans could create some problems for Toledo. However, they'll need players who can win one-on-one matchups to truly solidify their defense.
When it comes to Toledo, the team is returning a limited number of starters and has a mix of experienced players and new faces. They plan to field two quarterbacks, John Alan Richter and Khamoni Robinson, which could cause issues for MSU's defense. Toledo also has a formidable defensive end in Andrew Zock, who was named FCS Defensive Player of the Year last season.
Given the number of new players and uncertainty surrounding both teams, it will be difficult to predict the outcome of this game. However, Michigan State's superior talent and experience at various positions, along with a home crowd at Spartan Stadium, give them an advantage. It will not be a walkover, but MSU fans can expect a competitive and entertaining game. The prediction is MSU 26, Toledo 20.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
