One of the clearest paths to the playoffs come via the conference games, assuming of course that the teams in question play in one of the Power 5 conferences. Getting into and winning the Conference Championship Game is by no means a guarantee of a spot in the playoffs, but it certainly doesn’t help the cause. It is worth noting, though, that dropping a game or two in non-conference play can render the conference championship null and void in the eyes of the playoff committee. That is what Michigan State vs Northwestern are looking at as they prepare to start their conference schedule in Evanston this coming Saturday.
Northwestern were a surprise entrant in the Big Ten Championship last season, but the chances of a repeat showing look rather slim given how they have started the season. The Michigan State Spartans have not been very good this year either and will be well aware that their chances of winning the division will dip dramatically with a loss here. Michigan State is favored by 9 ½, with the point total for this Big Ten clash set at 38 ½.
Michigan State vs Northwestern 2019 College Football Week 4 Odds, Game Info & Pick
- When: Saturday, September 21, 12 PM EST
- Where: Ryan Field, Evanston
- TV: ABC
- Radio: SiriusXM
- Live Stream: ABC Go
- College Football Week 4 Odds: Michigan State -9.5 (Total 38.5)
USC vs Utah 2019 College Football Week 4 Odds, Game Preview & Expert Pick
Weather Forecast
- Scattered Thunderstorms: 24°C/76°F
- Humidity: 72%
- Precipitation: 40%
- Cloud Cover: 65%
- Wind: 17 mph SSW
- Stadium Type: Open
Why bet on the Michigan State Spartans?
The Michigan State Spartans went into Week 3 with a perfect 2-0 record, which they came by in very different ways. The offense struggled in a big way in Week 1, but they were able to grind out a 21-7 win over Tulsa. A lot of the kinks appeared to have been ironed out a week later, as they laid a very confident looking 51-17 beating on Western Michigan. It was all back to square one last weekend, though, with the Spartans going down 10-7 to the Arizona State Sun Devils.
That Week 2 win aside, the offense has looked anemic, which is perhaps why they are just 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games. It may also explain why 10 of the last 11 games for the Spartans have gone UNDER. Also worth noting is that Michigan State is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings with Northwestern.
Team Stats (Last 10 Games)
- Score: 30.80
- Rush Yards: 131.50
- Pass Attempts: 36.70
- Completion Percentage: 62.94
- Passing Yards: 299.80
- Total Yards: 431.3
- Turnovers: 1.20
Why bet on the Northwestern Wildcats?
Northwestern started their season with a 17-7 loss to Stanford in a game that they started as a 6 ½ point underdog. While they did manage to get a win in their next game, a 30-14 victory over the UNLV Rebels, they once again failed to cover the spread. With this start to the season, the Wildcats have now just covered the spread once in their last 5 games.
Things are even worse when you start talking about this team and Week 4 games, as they have covered just once in their last 10 in games played in Week 4. They are certainly a better bet straight up, winning 9 of their last 12. In Big Ten games, 5 of the last 6 have gone UNDER for Northwestern.
Team Stats (Last 10 Games)
- Score: 27.70
- Rush Yards: 105.10
- Pass Attempts: 44.20
- Completion Percentage: 66.52
- Passing Yards: 306.90
- Total Yards: 412.0
- Turnovers: 1.50
Southern Miss vs Alabama 2019 College Football Week 4 Spread & Betting Prediction
Michigan State vs Northwestern 2019 College Football Week 4 Betting Trends
- Spartans are 14-4 SU in their last 18 games played in September
- Spartans are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games played on a Saturday
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Michigan State’s last 7 games against an opponent in the Big 10 conference
- Wildcats are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games at home
- Wildcats are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games played in week 4
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Northwestern’s last 7 games
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction for Michigan State vs Northwestern
The Michigan State Spartans have seen 10 of their last 11 games fall UNDER the point total. Given how these two offenses have started the year, the UNDER looks like a solid bet here.
Score: Michigan State Spartans 21 – Northwestern Wildcats 13
