Connor Earegood, Angelique S. Chengelis, John Niyo and Bob Wojnowski of The Detroit News predict the outcome of Saturday’s Michigan State-Maryland game at Ford Field in Detroit (7 p.m., FS1/760).
▶ Angelique S. Chengelis: The Spartans have not quit on the season, as evidenced by the last month (the game against Penn State not included). But they lost by three points in overtime at Minnesota and by three at Iowa. Still, there’s so much room for growth and it’s hard to know where to start. Michigan State ranks 99th in scoring offense (23.4 points) and 108th in scoring defense (30.1). But this is by no means a juggernaut Maryland team. The Terps have lost seven straight and Michigan State has lost eight in a row. Maryland has a talented freshman quarterback in Malik Washington, so the Spartans need to zero in on making him uncomfortable. The Terps defense should give MSU quarterback Alessio Milivojevic a chance to make some plays. Pick: Michigan State 24-20
▶ Connor Earegood: Michigan State is inching closer and closer to a win the past three games, which would be its first in Big Ten play. The problem is there’s still so far for the Spartans to go. Michigan State’s offense has lost the third most yards of any FBS team at 416 – 305 of those coming on 37 sacks. All of those are Big Ten worsts, and they may grow worse against a Maryland defense that can both get to the quarterback and translate that pressure into turnovers. Alessio Milivojevic has grown as a playmaker in his three starts as a redshirt freshman quarterback. He did some growing up at Iowa, throwing for 255 yards and two touchdowns (his first multi-touchdown game). He also threw a pick, his first since his first pass of the season against Western Michigan. If he gives the ball away against Maryland, it will be difficult for the MSU offense to give its defense a chance. That lack of complementary football is what’s really at the heart of this losing streak, and it’s hard to fix so many issues all at once. Pick: Michigan State, 23-20
▶ John Niyo: It’s basketball season, thankfully. But no one should want this this season to end without a Big Ten win. To their credit, the Spartans have played that way the last few weeks. Show up with that kind of effort again Saturday and there’s no reason they can’t end this miserable losing streak. Then again, Maryland’s probably saying the same thing, and it’s not like a half-empty Ford Field is going to provide much of a home-field advantage for Jonathan Smith’s team. Alessio Milivojevic has shown he’s more than just a gamer, but he’ll need to continue to take care of the football against a Maryland defense that lives and dies on the turnover margin. Give Malik Washington any extra possessions and he’ll eventually make you pay with his big-play ability. Pick: Michigan State, 28-24
▶ Bob Wojnowski: Someone has to prevail, right? The Terrapins have lost seven in a row, the Spartans have dropped eight straight. While Maryland committed to Mike Locksley for another year, MSU apparently is still undecided about Jonathan Smith. It’s hard to believe one game could be the deciding factor. If it matters, the Spartans have continued to compete, and probably deserve a better fate than their 3-8 record. Terps freshman quarterback Malik Washington has struggled after a hot start, while MSU’s Alessio Milivojevic has shown signs of promise. Michigan State’s defense has battled admirably the past couple of weeks, and should be able to get to Washington. The atmosphere in Ford Field will be better than it would be in frigid Spartan Stadium, and the Spartans will enjoy themselves one time before an offseason of reflection. Pick: Michigan State 34-23
