Our picks

Joe Rexrode is in his sixth season as MSU’s beat writer. He predicts the Spartans will finish 6-6 overall, 4-4 in the Big Ten, and earn a spot in the Insight Bowl in Tempe, Ariz.

Barry Kiel is in his 11th year overseeing MSU football coverage as the assistant sports editor. He predicts a 7-5 season, 4-4 in the Big Ten, and a trip to the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.

REXRODE: Berkeley offers no peace or love to MSU, which loses by more than a touchdown for the first time under Mark Dantonio.

California 27, MSU16

A 2,000-mile road trip to play a fast, talented Cal team is just a little too tough of a task for the Spartans in the opener.

California 30, MSU20

The Eagles really are getting better. Really. They won’t offer too much of a challenge, though, to MSU in its home opener.

MSU 34, E. Michigan 14

Eastern will be able to move the ball, but it’s hard to imagine the Eagles slowing down MSU on the ground or through the air.

MSU45, E. Michigan 17

FAU is no patsy. The Owls have 18 starters back from an 8-5 team, and they have enough offense to hang.

MSU 38, Florida Atlantic 27

Florida Atlantic is a bowl team with a lot of experience, but the Spartans won’t be caught by surprise and will win handily.

MSU 27, Florida Atlantic 13

The Irish, having decided to block and tackle this season, rally for a gut-busting win at Spartan Stadium — their fourth straight.

Notre Dame 23, MSU 21

The Irish will obviously be better than last year (they couldn’t be much worse), but MSU — at home — is still the better team

MSU 24, Notre Dame 20

MSU recovers in the Big Ten opener for a much-needed road win, demonstrating the bounce-back ability it discovered in 2007.

MSU 30, Indiana 27

MSU is riding high into the Big Ten season but struggles to slow IU QB Kellen Lewis in the season’s first big disappointment.

Indiana 27, MSU 26

As it turns out, Iowa isn’t such a bad guest for Homecoming. The Hawkeyes are better, but MSU perseveres to get to 4-2, 2-0.

vMSU 24, Iowa 17

The Spartans respond after their bitter loss to the Hoosiers with their best performance of the season and thrash the Hawkeyes.

MSU 27, Iowa 10

Those pesky Wildcats. With a 3-0 league start beckoning and a visit from Ohio State looming, MSU falls flat in Evanston.

Northwestern 31, MSU 26

The Spartans have yet to figure out how to stop Northwestern’s version of the spread, but this time they win the shootout.

MSU 38, Northwestern 34

Remember two years ago, when Spartan Stadium was covered in red? This is a much better scene for MSU, but OSU is too good.

Ohio State 24, MSU 13

The Spartan Stadium crowd will be lubed up and loud in hopes of a possible upset of the mighty Buckeyes. Well, it’s fun to hope.

Ohio State 28, MSU 16

Make it seven in a row for the Wolverines in this series. First-year coach Rich Rodriguez’s defense makes the difference U-M.

Michigan 20, MSU 17

If this game was a month earlier, I’d like MSU’s chances. But U-M should get much better as the season wears on.

Michigan 24, MSU 17

An upset and a season saver. In the last of an exhausting three-game stretch, MSU summons enough grit to win and improve to 5-5.

MSU 26, Wisconsin 24

For the second straight year, MSU responds to a loss to U-M with a huge win, upsetting P.J. Hill and the Badgers.

MSU 28, Wisconsin 20

That’s bowl eligibility for two years in a row as Brian Hoyer outduels Purdue star Curtis Painter on senior day.

MSU 28, Purdue 20

Curtis Painter will test the MSU secondary, but the Spartans make it two straight years with seven victories and lock up a bowl bid.

MSU 34, Purdue 23

No analysis required here. MSU does not win in State College. A .500 finish earns the Spartans a Dec. 31 Insight Bowl bid.

Penn State 23, MSU 14

There’s a chance this could be JoePa’s final home game. You really think MSU has a shot under that scenario? Didn’t think so.

Penn State 24, MSU 10