Michigan vs Michigan State NCAA Football Odds Preview

Posted by Alex Murphy on Saturday,October 17, 2015 6:22, EDT in

Some great College football betting action will take center stage when the 12th-ranked Michigan Wolverines host No. 7 Michigan State in an absolutely huge Big Ten battle that will undoubtedly have postseason implications for both teams. Michigan State linebacker Riley Bullough described the magnitude of this perennial pairing. “It’s kind of crazy in this state,” Bullough said. “You literally identify yourself as part of the blue and maize or the green and white. That’s your identity, that’s your everything.” Now, let’s find out which playoff hopeful is going to bring home the bacon in this intriguing matchup.

How To Bet the Spartans @ Wolverines NCAA Football Odds, TV & Game Info

When: Saturday, October 17, 3:30 PM ET
Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
TV: ESPN
NCAAF Odds: Michigan -8.5

Why Bet on the Michigan State Spartans (6-0 SU, 0-6 ATS)

Michigan State managed to get past Rutgers in its 31-24 Week 6 win, but they never came close to covering the spread as a 12-point road fave in a contest that actually dropped the Spartans three spots in the national rankings.

Quarterback Connor Cook completed 23 of 38 passes for 357 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, but the Spartans didn’t seal the win until the final minute of regulation when freshman running back L.J. Scott scored on a three-yard run with 43 seconds to play to give the Spartans their school-record 11th consecutive conference road win. Nevertheless, the Spartans allowed Rutgers quarterback Chris Laviano to complete 15 of 24 passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns in the narrow victory.

Why bet on the Michigan Wolverines (5-1 SU, 4-2 ATS)

Michigan absolutely pounded the Northwestern Wildcats into submission in their stunning 38-0 Week 6 shutout win over their longtime conference rivals. The Wolverines got on the board right away and never looked back after wide receiver Jehu Chesson took the opening kickoff 96 yards ‘to the house’ to help the Wolverines to an emphatic 28-0 lead at the half.

Michigan quarterback Jake Rudock completed 17 of 23 passes for 179 yards, but in reality, it was the Wolverines’ defense that really gave the Wildcats no chance at victory. The Wolverines have shut out each of their last three opponents (Northwestern, Maryland and BYU) while outscoring their opponents 97-0 over the span. “For them to pitch three straight shutouts, that’s hard to do in college football, doesn’t matter who you are, doesn’t matter who you are playing,” Spartans quarterback Connor Cook said. “We’re looking forward to going into there and playing against a defense like that, because you want to play against the best.”

Michigan held Northwestern to a pitiful 38 yards on 25 running plays (1.5 yards per rush).

My Expert Game Analysis, Prediction & Pick

After opening as a 6.5-point favorite, the Wolverines have moved to an 8.5-point home fave, but that just makes me want to join the 68 percent of public bettors that likes Michigan State to cover the spread. I know the Wolverines are 4-0 ATS in their last four games against a team with a winning record and 5-2 ATS in their last seven home games, but I really like Michigan State’s 16-5-1 ATS mark in their last 22 road games and 14-6-1 ATS record in its last 21 games a team with a winning record.

Sure, the Spartans are winless 0-6 against the spread this season, but this contest marks the first time they’re underdogs and not favorites. I wasn’t impressed with the Spartans last week at all, but I just don’t see them failing to cover the spread in this ‘ginormous’ Big Ten battle.

My Pick: Michigan State 20 Michigan 17