Michigan State football vs. Florida Atlantic: Predictions for opener

Free Press sports activities writers share their predictions for the Michigan State soccer sport in opposition to Florida Atlantic on Friday (7 p.m., Huge Ten Community):

Carlos Monarrez

The Jonathan Smith and Aidan Chiles period begins simply sufficient in opposition to an Owls workforce that completed 4-8 final yr. Chiles and his athletic skill ought to spark the offense. The Spartans’ questionable protection might make the most of redshirt junior switch quarterback Cam Fancher, who had 11 interceptions at Marshall final yr and is making his debut in Tom Herman’s offense. The decide: MSU 28, Florida Atlantic 17.

Rainer Sabin

There are such a lot of unknowns heading into Jonathan Smith’s debut at Michigan State. Will the operating sport acquire traction after posting the worst season per-game dashing common in class historical past final yr? Can the offense take flight below the command of Chiles, the ballyhooed sophomore quarterback switch from Oregon State? Is the protection, to cite new coordinator Joe Rossi, “prepared for prime time?” We’ll discover out some solutions because the Spartans regularly overwhelm Tom Herman’s retooled Owls throughout an encouraging introduction to a brand new period of MSU soccer. The decide: MSU 31, Florida Atlantic 14.