ESPN

MB: This game is probably one of the toughest matchups imaginable for the Spartans. Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan is a stud and will have a real chance at accumulating some serious yards in the air in this one. While Boston College will view this game as a disappointment, this is a dream come true for MSU. Will it show? Bank on it! This game will be just like hockey as the Spartans win on a last-second field goal. MSU 41, Boston College 38

SE: The best thing the NCAA could have done was put the Spartans in this bowl game. I don’t have much faith in MSU’s secondary, even in incredibly gorgeous Orlando weather. Matt Ryan has the opportunity to throw for more than 250 yards. I think Devin Thomas has the ability to have a monster game though, as we have all seen him strive in big-time games. MSU will play great but lose a close one. Boston College 45, MSU 42

AG: The Spartans will pull out the win IF they don’t get too excited about the fact they are actually playing in the postseason and throw incomplete passes all day due to rushed play. Matt Ryan will outshine junior quarterback Brian Hoyer on the field for sure, but the rest of the MSU offensive line will shine through and save the game. I’m going to keep my strained Spartans fan hopes alive for one more game and pull for the Spartans win. MSU 35, Boston College 31

JS: The only way the Spartans have made it this far is their fighting mentality. They made every game this season a battle, win or lose, never being defeated by more than seven points. The Eagles’ three losses came from opponents who successfully moved the ball through the air, so MSU will need Hoyer and Thomas to have great games. The Spartans will make it a dog fight to the end, but Matt Ryan and his deep receiver corps will be the deciding factor. Boston College 38, MSU 35

No. 9 MSU men’s basketball vs. No. 20 Brigham Young

4 p.m. Saturday

Versus

MB: After winning in one tough atmosphere at Bradley, the Spartans have to move on to play Brigham Young in a “neutral-site” game in Salt Lake City. The win Tuesday showed a lot of character and grit and, even though Brigham Young is a good team, I see the Spartans coming out on top in this one. MSU 74, Brigham Young 68

SE: The Spartans might not win games in the smoothest way possible, but the important thing is — they’re finding ways to win basketball games. Brigham Young will be no different, in my opinion. It’ll be tough, and it will take every ounce of heart from MSU, but they’ll edge the Cougars in the end. MSU 69, Brigham Young 66

AG: Good thing Raymar Morgan and Drew Neitzel have been showing up for the Spartans in the close games to clinch the wins. Neitzel and Kalin Lucas will play well Saturday with Morgan dominating the stats for the third consecutive game en route to the Spartans win. MSU 80, Brigham Young 61

JS: Close games on the road in hostile environments, like MSU’s win over Bradley, build character. Enough character building, let’s start dominating. The Spartans need to prove they’re worthy of their top-10 ranking, and they’ll make a statement against Brigham Young. MSU 75, Brigham Young 64

No. 23 MSU women’s basketball vs. Indiana State

2 p.m. Saturday

WVFN (730-AM)

MB: With a week to prepare, I don’t see any reason for MSU to lose this game. Generally, teams like Indiana State don’t have a lot to offer on the inside, and if that’s the case here, sophomore center Allyssa DeHaan will go off and lead MSU to victory. MSU 73, Indiana State 59

SE: MSU is going to be victorious — no ifs, ands or buts about it. The Spartans will hold onto the ball efficiently, keeping their turnover count on the lower side. Expect MSU to come out with a lot of intensity and take this game with ease. MSU 70, Indiana State 55

AG: If the Spartans keep the turnovers to an absolute minimum, they will win. Both teams are averaging about 18 turnovers per game. MSU is 1-2 on the road going into this away match and will be hungry to even up the score and get the turnover monkey off their backs. Look for domination in the paint and in the stats for the win. MSU 76, Indiana State 66

JS: For those who may not be acquainted with Indiana State, they’re called the Sycamores. Yep, they’re trees. What’re trees going to do against the Spartans, a bunch of guys with swords? Allyssa DeHaan — MSU’s resident tree — will out-tree the trees. MSU 79, Indiana State 74

No. 5 MSU hockey vs. Ferris State

7:05 p.m. Friday/Saturday

Comcast Local (Saturday)

MB: The Spartans always seem to have trouble with the Bulldogs, but I don’t see that continuing here. MSU has made it its mission to win all the games it’s supposed to this season and, while it’ll be a tough series, the Spartans will head into the break with another sweep. MSU 2-1, 3-1

SE: When MSU takes on Ferris State, it’s always a crowd-pleaser. These contests will be no different than anything ever seen before. Both teams will hit hard and play intense defense — yet they will find ways to score at the same time. I’m going with a split this weekend. MSU 3-2, Ferris State 4-3

AG: I don’t want to be the pessimist here, but I will be. This will be the Spartans’ first split weekend of the season. Despite its 10-3-2 record, MSU is lacking something that I can’t quite put my finger on, and I don’t think MSU head coach Rick Comley will be able to either in game one. Ferris State 2-1, MSU 2-0

JS: Ferris State usually isn’t much to sweat about, but this season they seem to be on the right track and ready to sneak up on MSU with a victory. The Bulldogs already have shown they can pull an upset, when they defeated then-No. 12 Notre Dame in October. Ferris State 3-2, MSU 3-1