There are many different conferences playing within the college football system, but the reality is that when it comes to the playoffs, this sport is all about the Power 5. Notre Dame bucked a trend by making it into the final four last season as an independent, but outside of them, every playoff team comes from the 5 major conferences. You don’t have to be a math wizard to see that with 5 major conferences and only 4 available spots, at least one conference will miss out on the playoffs each year. Getting out of these conferences as the champion is tough, but it’s fair to suggest that some are tougher than others.
The Big Ten is among the toughest, especially the East Division, where Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and Michigan State all reside. Making it through that tough slate of games is no easy feat, and while the Michigan State Spartans will eventually need to run that gauntlet, they begin the season with what looks to be a comfortable home game versus the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. The Spartans are in as a 23 point favorite, with the point total set at 47 ½.
Tulsa vs Michigan State 2019 College Football Week 1 Odds & Pick for Friday Night
- When: Friday, August 30 at 7 PM EST
- Where: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing
- TV: FS1
- Radio: SiriusXM
- Live Stream: Fox Sports Go
- College Football Week 1 Odds: Michigan State Spartans -23 (Total 47.5)
Wisconsin vs USF 2019 College Football Week 1 Lines & Expert Analysis
Weather Forecast
- Mostly Sunny: 25°C/77°F
- Humidity: 57%
- Precipitation: 10%
- Cloud Cover: 17%
- Wind: 10 mph WNW
- Stadium Type: Open
Why bet on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane?
While Week 1 games have become a little more competitive than they were in the past, mostly thanks to the playoff set-up, there are still exceptions to the rule. As we look at the Tulsa Golden Hurricane and try to find reasons to bet on them this weekend, it quickly becomes clear that there are very few reasons to be found. Sure, they have gone 4-1 SU in their last 5 Week 1 games, but they have seldom of ever faced a team of this caliber to get things rolling.It also doesn’t help that Tulsa start this season on a streak that has seen them lose each of heir last 12 road games, which is not surprising given that they are just 3-14 SU in their last 17 overall. Versus Big Ten opposition, the Golden Hurricane are 1-4 ATS in their last 5.
Team Stats
Offense- Points per Game: 24.08
- Passing Yards: 177.08
- Rushing Yards: 200.75
- Yards per Play: 5.04
Defense
- Points per Game: 29.58
- Passing Yards: 174.58
- Rushing Yards: 233.33
- Yards per Play: 5.63
Why bet on the Michigan State Spartans?
The Spartans will be looking for a bounce-back season after what was a bit of a disappointing year in 2018. While the Spartans won against the weaker teams they faced, they struggled mightily in the big games, including their bowl game, which was a rather odd 7-6 loss to the Oregon Ducks. With that in mind, you would certainly like them to come out on Friday night and get the job done in this one.
This is a team that does tend to be good in August, going 6-1 SU in the last 7 games played in that month. They are also 5-1 SU versus teams from the American Athletic Conference, but one thing to pay attention to is that the Spartans have gone just 1-7 ATS in their last 8 home games.
Team Stats
Offense- Points per Game: 18.69
- Passing Yards: 217.23
- Rushing Yards: 124.85
- Yards per Play: 4.62
Defense
- Points per Game: 17.15
- Passing Yards: 225.23
- Rushing Yards: 77.92
- Yards per Play: 4.54
Utah vs BYU 2019 College Football Week 1 Odds, Game Info & Pick
Tulsa vs Michigan State 2019 College Football Week 1 Betting Trends
- Golden Hurricane are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games when playing as the underdog
- Golden Hurricane are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games played in week 1
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tulsa’s last 6 games played in August
- Spartans are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games played in August
- Spartans are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games played in week 1
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Michigan State’s last 8 games
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Tulsa vs Michigan State
While I like the Spartans to come out and win this one without breaking too much of a sweat, that 23-point spread gives me a little bit of a pause. I might be tempted to play Tulsa ATS in this one.Score: Tulsa Golden Hurricane 13 – Michigan State Spartans 31
