Ohio State Football: Big Ten Week One Predictions

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SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 28: Joe Bachie #35, David Dowell #6, Chris Frey #23, and Andrew Dowell #5 of the Michigan State Spartans tackle James Williams #32 of the Washington State Cougars during the second half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Utah State at Michigan State

Utah State is a perfect opening game for the Spartans. Good enough to be taken seriously, but not strong enough to pose a real threat.

The Aggies have 19 starters back from a 6-7 campaign last year. They are typically a lower-tier bowl type team and will be this year too.

With 19 starters back, I expect Mark Dantonio to stick to a vanilla game plan to get his guys back into rhythm before the game against Arizona State next week.

If he does, the game will be close for a quarter, maybe two. Spartans pull away in the second half to win 45-17.

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