Michigan State football: Final score predictions vs. FAU

Friday night marks the start of the Jonathan Smith era of Michigan State football. Will he take care of business in Week 1?

Subtract one Mel Tucker and add one Jonathan Smith and what do you get? Hope for Michigan State football.

The Spartans open the 2024 season with more hope than they’ve had in the previous two years. They’re coming off a 9-15 stretch in 2022-23 and it’s time to move forward with an experienced head coach who has proven he can be a program-builder.

It’s time to show that in East Lansing.

READ: 3 bold predictions for Michigan State vs. FAU

And that starts on Friday night as the Spartans welcome Florida Atlantic to East Lansing for the season opener and the beginning of a new era. Smith will have a chance to prove that he has what it takes to be the guy for Michigan State this season and it has to start with a convincing win over FAU.

Tom Herman and the Owls aren’t just going to roll over, though. They’re going to put up a fight even though they were just 4-8 a year ago (like the Spartans) and had one of the worst offenses and defenses in the country (also like the Spartans). But the offseason brought plenty of roster addition and attrition and Florida Atlantic figures to be an improved Group of Five team.

Will they pull off the upset in East Lansing, though? My gut says no.

The line as of Friday afternoon is Michigan State -13, according to DraftKings, and the over/under is set at 45.

So what do the Spartan Shadows writers believe will happen?

Connor Muldowney: This one is going to be close for a half and then Michigan State will step it up after halftime and bury the Owls. We’ll see a lot of halftime meltdowns on social media (because of course) and they’ll be quickly silenced by competent coaching and great quarterback play and defensive adjustments in the second half. Final: FAU 17, Michigan State 37.

Joey Shaver: FAU 16, Michigan State 30

Emmett Matasovsky: FAU 14, Michigan State 31

Chris Norman: I think it’s going to be a close one for a bit but the Spartans pull away late. Aidan Chiles, Jack Velling, and Nate Carter take over and pull away late. Spartans win 38-17.

Daily MSU: FAU 17, Michigan State 38

Anthony Garvert: FAU 17, Michigan State 34

Zack Theis: FAU 17, Michigan State 28

MilkManMSU: FAU 10, Michigan State 35

As you can see, all of our writers have the Spartans winning and all but one have them covering the 13-point spread. If you’re betting on this game, bet wisely.