It’s Friday, and that means game prediction time once again! The Irish are looking to remain undefeated in their quest for another playoff berth. Pat Fitzgerald and the Michigan State Spartans renew another classic rivalry game hoping to upset the Irish. Which team comes out on top?
Mike Frank
This is a hard game to predict because we just don’t know what the weather will bring. If I had more confidence in the run game, it wouldn’t matter what the weather says, but the Irish have struggled a bit early running the football, and the Spartans are a bit salty against the run.
However, Marcus Freeman has noted that the run game isn’t what he wants it to be so far, and that is what Marcus Freeman is best at...identifying problems and fixing them. The Irish will get the run game going this week. It will look better, even against a better rush defense. I expect a bit of a struggle early, but then ND will get things rolling in the second half. I expect some big shots in the passing game as well.
Notre Dame 42, Michigan State 10
Matt Freeman
Michigan State: Notre Dame’s running game questions are answered.
It's the first night game at home of the 2026 season and the Irish run all over Michigan State with Nolan James Jr. running for 100+, and the team comes close to 200 on the ground total.
Drayk Bowen records his first ever career interception in this one and Mylan Graham scores a touchdown on a slot fade.
Notre Dame 40, Michigan State 7
Christian McCollum
The weather could make this one a little uglier than Notre Dame would prefer, but it shouldn’t keep the Irish from controlling the game.
Notre Dame leans on the run game and its defense as the conditions make throwing the ball more difficult. Jordan Faison still finds his way into the end zone for his third touchdown of the season and the Irish defense scores for the second straight week.
Michigan State hangs around on the scoreboard longer than the game itself feels competitive, but Notre Dame pulls away and hands Pat Fitzgerald his first loss as the Spartans’ head coach.
Notre Dame 31, Michigan State 10
Greg Flammang
Michigan State: Notre Dame running game questions are answered.
In the pre-season I said Notre Dame would run for close to 300+ yards with Williams and Young going for 100+. It's hard to see Young going for that number, but I will hold it will be Williams and another running back. The weather definitely plays into Notre Dame running the ball in this game and I think they get it together in this one.
I'll hold that Joey O'Brien records his first ever career interception in this one and would like to hedge that Bubba Frazier scores a touchdown on a jet sweep, but I'm keeping it in here just in case..
Notre Dame 40, Michigan State 7
Jamie Uyeyama
Notre Dame has won their first two games by a combined score of 93-10. On their 12 game winning streak they've won each game by double digits and even the games that are close at halftime end with them eventually pulling away from their opponents.
I don't see any reason to think that won't continue on Saturday night. Michigan State will come in hoping to be physical and control the game by running the football. They're going to find that hard to accomplish against this Notre Dame defense. Regardless of weather, MSU will also be in trouble in obvious passing situations.
I think MSU's defense will put up a fight and scrap it out for a bit, but Notre Dame has too many playmakers after the catch and will wear them down in the second half. The running game breaks out then and the pass rush goes off with five sacks.
Notre Dame 41, Michigan State 10
