Michigan State Spartans Vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Bold Predictions For Week 3 Of 2016 College Football Season

Typically, fans can witness top 25 matchups in college football on a weekly basis. Week 3 of the 2016 college football season is no exception to the rule as the Michigan State Spartans and Notre Dame Fighting Irish will be battling out against one another.

Entering this showdown, a showdown that features two teams that still have their eyes set on the ultimate prize — which is the College Football Playoff — Notre Dame is ranked No. 18 in both major polls while Michigan State is ranked as high as No. 8.

Unfortunately for the Spartans, they will have to travel on the road. Needless to say, life on the road in college football can be brutal for even the best programs in the sport. Notre Dame found that out in Week 1 when it went down to the Texas Longhorns. At the time, Texas wasn’t ranked in the top 25.

Since the season is still young, we still don’t know a whole lot about teams like Michigan State and Notre Dame. Michigan State’s only opponent so far has been the Furman Paladins. Meanwhile, the Fighting Irish have taken on Texas and the Nevada Wolf Pack. Of course, Notre Dame lost to Texas in an absolute thriller by the score of 50-47.

Regardless of uncertainty surrounding the scene, the winner will get one step closer to putting together a savvy resume for the College Football Playoff. Before this weekend’s festivities go down, let’s tackle some bold predictions for this top 25 showdown.

First Team To 30 Gains The Resume Booster

In other words, the first team to 30 will win this game. This is bold for the simple fact that Mark Dantonio-coached teams are typically stingy on the defensive side of the ball. On the flip side, Notre Dame erupted in its season opener with 47 points.

Just last season, Michigan State only allowed 20.5 points per game, which was good enough for 19th-best in the country. Notre Dame wasn’t too shabby either, as it only gave up 22.4 points per game.

Although the Fighting Irish gave up an overwhelming amount of points against Texas, the team only allowed 10 points in the very next game against Nevada.

As is always the case with college football, this contest could be a shootout or a low-scoring affair.

DeShone Kizer Puts On A Heisman-Like Show

If fans don’t know the name DeShone Kizer, they should get acquainted with it in a hurry. After all, Kizer could go No. 1 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. Yes, he is getting that much hype and has that much talent.

Kizer exploded in the touchdown department in Week 1 with six (five passing, one rushing). Expecting him to have a similar performance against a team like Michigan State is probably expecting too much, but that doesn’t mean the Heisman contender won’t have three to four touchdowns in this contest.

What makes Kizer so dangerous is the fact that he can make plays with his arm and legs. Look no further than his 112 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in two games to figure that one out.

Fighting Irish Secure A 10-Point Victory

Notre Dame gets this rivalry game at home. Home-field advantage is crucial in any sport, but it is especially important in a sport like college football.

The Spartans should be more than ready for this contest. Not only did they play a cupcake in Week 1, but they had a bye last week. That still doesn’t change the fact that Michigan State quarterback Tyler O’Connor will have to play in a hostile environment in Week 3, and it still remains to be seen how he will fair in 2016.

This prediction has bold written all over it for a couple of reasons. (1) Michigan State has the talent to win this game. (2) The Spartans are, once again, ranked as high as No. 8.

Michigan State still remains a mystery. Yes, it made the College Football Playoff last year, but that was last year. As for this year, the Spartans have only played one game against a far less talented team, and then they went on a bye. We have seen what Notre Dame is capable of against a talented team. The Fighting Irish did put up 47 points against the Longhorns, after all, but they also gave up 50.

When it comes to the playoff picture, things should get interesting in Week 3. Stay tuned, folks.

[Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images]