Michigan State at Rutgers: Will Spartans bounce back after bye?

Can Michigan State pick up its first win in over a month?

The Spartans return from the bye week in another underdog situation — this time at Rutgers. Michigan State is looking to snap a three-game losing streak and win for the first time since early September.

An offer for Spartans fans

For the best local Detroit news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to the Detroit Free Press.

$1 for 6 months

Rutgers comes into this game with a much more impressive 4-2 record but has dropped two of their last three games — at Michigan and Wisconsin. The Scarlet Knights are listed as a near touchdown favorite over the Spartans in this matchup.

See what the Spartans Wire staff thinks in our weekly Michigan State predictions below:

Andrew Brewster

Credit: Nick King / Lansing State Journal

Prediction: MSU 28, Rutgers 24

I’m expecting to see a new quarterback in here, and with that, a fresh start for a Spartan program that really needs a win. I think they are capable of beating Rutgers coming off a bye week.

Cory Linsner

Credit: Marc Lebryk / USA TODAY Sports

Prediction: MSU 20, Rutgers 23

As much as this team needs a win, I just cannot pick them to get the job done on the road against an improved Rutgers team. They’ll have to prove that they can win football games, and not shoot themselves in the foot, before I choose them again.

Robert Bondy

Credit: Dale Young / USA TODAY Sports

Prediction: MSU 20, Rutgers 17

Like Andrew, I suspect the Spartans will make a switch at quarterback this week with Katin Houser getting his first career start. He won’t be a superstar but simply protecting the football and limiting turnovers, combined with another strong defensive showing from the Spartans is the difference in this one.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on Twitter @RobertBondy5.