Category: Mel Tucker

MSU vs. Miami (FL) Prediction: Can Spartans get statement win against Hurricanes?

Can Michigan State prove they’re for real against a solid Miami (FL) Hurricanes squad? Let’s see what the Spartans Wire staff thinks in our weekly predictions

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Michigan State is heading to South Beach.

The Spartans will travel to Miami (FL) this weekend to take on the Hurricanes in a big-time match-up for both programs. Michigan State enters the game a perfect 2-0 and with plenty of momentum in what feels like a huge opportunity for the program. Miami on the other side is off to a relatively rough start at 1-1, and looking to get things back on track against the Spartans.

Can Michigan State prove they’re for real against a solid Miami (FL) Hurricanes squad? Let’s see what the Spartans Wire staff thinks in our weekly predictions.

5 key quotes from Mel Tucker’s media call before game against No. 24 Miami

Key quotes from Mel Tucker’s media call before game against No. 24 Miami

Michigan State football is currently traveling to Florida to face No. 24 Miami this weekend. Before the trip, head coach Mel Tucker spoke to the media to give some updates before the big road game.

Below, we compiled some of his best quotes from different beat reporters who annotated the call on Twitter.

Michigan State football reveals team captains for game against No. 24 Miami

Michigan State reveals team captains against No. 24 Miami

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Michigan State football will take on No. 24 this weekend in Florida in a big-time match up, and we now know who their team captains will be.

They will be:

  • WR Jayden Reed
  • S Xavier Henderson
  • C Matt Allen

All three players had huge games last weekend against Youngstown State and their strong play was recognized by coach Mel Tucker. This is Henderson’s third straight week as a team captain. This will be Reed and Allen’s first time this season.

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Michigan State football’s offensive line grades at No. 2 in the country in week 2 by PFF

Michigan State football’s offensive line grades at No. 2 in the country in week 2 by PFF

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During the heyday of Michigan State football under Mark Dantonio, the Spartans were able to hang their hat under strong offensive line play. That has dwindled over the past few years, but new MSU offensive line coach has done a great job thus far this year putting out a group that has competed on each and every play and it has made a huge, visible difference in the offense as Kenneth Walker and Jordon Simmons have had ample room to run.

In fact, MSU’s offensive line has been so good, they actually were the No. 2 ranked group in the country in week 2, thanks to a powerful performance against Youngstown State. Only Baylor’s group ranked higher.

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WATCH: MSU S Xavier Henderson makes incredible one-handed interception to prevent YSU touchdown

What a play by the Spartans’ defensive leader Xavier Henderson!

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Michigan State kept the Youngstown State Penguins out of the endzone early in the second quarter on an incredible one-handed interception from safety Xavier Henderson.

The Penguins were driving and appeared to be on their way to their first score of the game. However, Henderson ended that drive with an awesome interception. Had he not came over to make the play, it appeared Youngstown State would have connected for a 29-yard touchdown.

Check out the highlight play from Henderson below:

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WATCH: Spartans score on opening play vs. Youngstown State on flea flicker 75-yard TD pass

For a second straight week, the Spartans started the game with a 75-yard touchdown play

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For a second straight week, the Spartans started the game with a 75-yard touchdown play.

Michigan State jumped out to an early 7-0 lead over Youngstown State on Saturday with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Payton Thorne to Jayden Reed. What made the play even better was that it came on a flea flicker.

Check out the highlight play below:

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Could Michigan State be moving on from Thunderstruck as team’s entrance song?

It seems like Michigan State could have a new entrance song this season…

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The Spartans could be running onto the field to a new song this season.

For the longest time, Michigan State football has used AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” as the team’s entrance song to start games. However, that could be changing based on a tweet from the Spartans’ official Twitter account on Wednesday evening.

The tweet — which is pasted below — states the Spartans will “SURF” on Saturday with F.L.Y.’s “Swag Surfin'” faintly playing in the background. The video also shows the tunnel the players run out of to enter Spartan Stadium — which has some fans believing this will be the team’s new entrance song.

I personally don’t have a problem with Thunderstruck as the team’s entrance song but also would be in favor of this change for the program too. This, of course, could be reading too much into a simple tweet but it’s worth noting as another potential change by head coach Mel Tucker and his staff.

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Michigan State football routes Northwestern in statement win

Michigan State football routes Northwestern in statement win

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I think that transfer portal initiative worked out after all. On Friday, the Spartans came up with a statement win to open the season on the road against the Northwestern Wildcats. The Spartans beat Northwestern 38-21 in Evanston.

This was the evening of Kenneth Walker, MSU’s new transfer running back from Wake Forest. Walker dominated Northwestern and looked like the best player on the field all night, rushing for 264 yards and four touchdowns on the night in a star performance.

Payton Thorne started ahead of Anthony Russo, which was the other big story of the night. He went 16/27 and threw for 211 yards and a touchdown.

The Spartans came out with a statement win against a formidable opponent in Northwestern and showed that a new look team, stocked full of strong transfers, might be able to compete in the higher echelon of the Big Ten.

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USA TODAY: No bowl game for Spartans in 2021

Another preseason bowl predictions list has Michigan State missing out on the bowl season this year

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Add Erick Smith of USA TODAY to the list of national media that is not high on the 2021 Michigan State Spartans.

Smith released his first batch of bowl predictions for the upcoming season, and like many he evidently isn’t buying much stock in Michigan State. Smith left the Spartans off his bowl predictions last week list — joining Brett McMurphy who also put out bowl predictions that didn’t have the Spartans bowling.

Here’s Smith’s breakdown of the Big Ten teams in bowl games this year:

  • Orange Bowl (CFP Semifinal): Ohio State vs. Alabama
  • Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Oregon
  • Outback Bowl: Iowa vs. Florida
  • Citrus Bowl: Penn State vs. LSU
  • Music City Bowl: Michigan vs. Ole Miss
  • Las Vegas Bowl: Indiana vs. Arizona State
  • Pinstripe Bowl: Northwestern vs. Virginia
  • Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Nebraska vs. West Virginia
  • Quick Lane Bowl: Purdue vs. Toledo
  • Redbox Bowl: Minnesota vs. Cal

Click here to read the complete bowl predictions from Smith of USA TODAY.

I don’t blame Smith for aligning with so many others in the national media, but I personally believe Michigan State will reach a bowl game this year. So it’ll be interesting to monitor Smith’s weekly updates on his bowl predictions throughout the season should the Spartans live up to my expectations of reaching a bowl game this holiday season.

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WATCH: Michigan State Football releases ‘Fall Camp Recap’ video

Check out the Michigan State Football ‘Fall Camp Recap’ video that was released on Monday

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It’s game week for Michigan State football.

Michigan State has wrapped up fall camp and has turned their focus to Northwestern with game week officially here. The Spartans will take on Northwestern on Friday, with their season-opening match-up taking place in Evanston, Ill. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. EDT.

Before completely turning the focus to Northwestern, the Spartans social media team released a “Fall Camp Recap” video on Monday. The six-minute long video provides an inside look at the Spartans’ fall camp as they prepared for the upcoming 2021 season.

Check out the video below:

 

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