Happy Friday, TOC Nation. We are on to week 4 and MSU is off to Los Angeles. The Spartans completed the non-conference schedule with a perfect 3-0 record and now begin Big Ten play. And who better to get started with than a team that has never even won a B1G championship. Pretty embarrassing if you ask me. It’s gonna be a late night for those of us watching in the east. Here is the 411.
Michigan State @ University of Southern California
When: Saturday, September 20 @ 11 PM ET
Where: Memorial Coliseum; Los Angeles, CA
TV: FOX
Radio: Local listings, online
or on the app
Betting: MSU +18.5; Over/Under 56.5 (FanDuel)
If you would like to read more about the USC Trojans, check out O’s preview.
Predictions:
Mike: It seems like if MSU has any chance of coming out on top, it would need to be in a shootout and Chiles will need to be nearly perfect. That’s a lot to hope for, especially if several playmakers are limited or out. Or, the defense will need to have a massive transformation and that seems even less likely. I’m sorry to say I’m thinking it will be 37-21 USC.
Steve: USC is the best defense that MSU has seen thus far and MSU’s defense is on par with everything USC has seen. Not liking the chances. USC 35 MSU 14
Lucas: It seems the cards are stacked against MSU in every way possible. First road test, 11pm kickoff EST, injuries piling up, and the high-powered USC offense matching up with the struggling Spartan defense. That being said, only one team has Aidan Chiles. Obviously the defense is going to need to make major improvements, but it seems like thus far the offense has played to the level of its competition. As long as Nick Marsh is healthy enough to be his usual self, I think MSU can make this one a game. With Ryan Eckley helping dominate the field position game, it will come down to the question of: can the defense make one key stop to set up #2 and company to go win a ballgame? Why not. Go Green. Spartans roll 34-31.
O: Normally I can hype myself up into believing. Not this one. Still seeing too many problems with this team. 38-24 USC.
Game Thread: Will go live 3 hours before kickoff.
Once again, we have a trio of top 25 matchups. Let’s see how the TOC staff is doing so far before we get to week 4’s picks.
Standings: Mike (Week 2: 2-2; Season: 6-6). Steve (3-1; 6-6). Lucas (3-1; 9-3). O (3-1; 7-5)
1. #17 Texas Tech @ #16 Utah
- Mike – Utah
- Steve – TT
- Lucas – Utah
- O – Utah
2. #22 Auburn @ #11 Oklahoma
- Mike – Oklahoma
- Steve – Oklahoma
- Lucas – Auburn
- O – Oklahoma
3. #9 Illinois @ #19 Indiana
- Mike – Illinois
- Steve – Illinois
- Lucas – Illinois
- O – Illinois
