Week 12: Spartans vs Terrapins Prediction
College football Week 12 betting action sees the #12 Michigan State Spartans taking on the Maryland Terrapins on Saturday November, 15th at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium in College Park. Cappers Picks provides free NCAA football handicapping tips all season long.
With one school coming off the biggest win of their last four seasons and one school coming off a very tough loss, this game has opposite storylines.
College Football Lines
#12 Michigan State (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) @ Maryland (6-3, 3-2 Big Ten)
Saturday, October 25th 8:00 PM ET @ Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium – College Park, MD
NCAA Football Spread: Michigan State -12
NCAA Football O/U: 59.5
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Maryland is still riding the high of their big 20-19 win against Penn State. Michigan State, though, is looking to bounce back strong after a tough loss to Ohio State.
After shaking off the early season loss to Oregon, Michigan State entered last week’s tilt with the Buckeyes in good position to make a run at one of the four spots in the college football playoff this year. While they aren’t out of it yet by any means, the team needs to come back and win the rest of their games this season.
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Head Coach Randy Edsall affirmed the “best win in 4 seasons” remark, the length of his tenure so far in College Park. With Maryland being a road warrior this season, a home game against a very tough Spartan squad is going to be a test that the Terrapins will need to undertake to gauge their school’s program.
#12 Michigan State
Known for their defensive ways, the Spartans have put up impressive numbers on both sides of the ball. On offense, quarterback Connor Cook has impressed, going 145 of 243 for 2,226 yards, 19 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He also has 59 yards rushing and 2 ground scores.
His biggest target in the air has been Tony Lippett, who has 26 more receptions than the next two receivers. So far, Lippett has 47 grabs for 953 yards and 9 touchdowns. He’s also got a rushing touchdown on his only carry of the season.
Behind Lippett is Josiah Price and Macgarrett Kings Jr., who each have 21 receptions on the season. Price has 330 yards and 5 touchdowns while Kings Jr. has 229 yards receiving and a touchdown. Aaron Burbridge also has 19 grab for 233 yards and a score of his own.
On the ground, Jeremy Langford may be one of the most impressive backs in the country. He has 978 yards and 13 touchdowns on 178 carries this season. Nick Hill has helped in the ground game as well, amassing 479 yards and 6 scores.
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This Michigan State offense ranks 15th in nation. The defense, however, is ranked 9th and thriving each week. Despite the two losses this season, the Spartan defensive numbers are spectacular.
The defense has TWO players with more than 6 sacks on the season. Three different players have 2 interceptions on the season. Twelve different players have recovered fumbles (the team in 2nd in the nation in recoveries) while five different players caused them.
Maryland
While Maryland has had to rely on a tough defense to get them through games, the offense has done its part to help the Terrapins to four road victories already this season. Randy Edsall has slowly changed the landscape of Maryland football and has been giving trouble to opponents this season.
Leading the offense is C.J. Brown, who has completed 127 of 236 passes for 1,477 yards, 9 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Brown is also the team’s leading rusher, with 111 carries for 380 yards and 5 scores. Behind Brown in the running game is the duo of Brandon Ross and Wes Brown. Ross has 64 carries for 256 yards and 2 scores while Brown has racked up 255 yards and 4 touchdowns on 68 carries this season.
Only five receivers have more than 10 receptions this season for the Terrapins. Leading the team in receiving is Stefon Diggs who was to be suspended this week, but instead may be out for the season with a lacerated kidney. Diggs had 52 receptions for 654 yards and 5 touchdowns before going down.
Next in line is Deon Long who has 35 carries for 389 yards and 1 touchdown followed by Marcus Leak who has 18 catches for 276 yards and 3 scores.
The Terrapin defense has been the star this season, who have 18 takeaways and 26 sacks on the season as a team. Two players have over 10 tackles for loss. Two players have more than 5 sacks each while William Likely has a whopping 5 picks on the season.
The defense has forced 9 fumbles this year, recovered 10 and blocked 3 kicks along the way.
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NCAA football handicapping trends
- Spartans are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss
- Spartans are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 road games
- Terrapins are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win
- Terrapins are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games following a bye week
- Terrapins are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games following a S.U. win
Week 12 NCAA Football Prediction
In all honesty, we all know how this game SHOULD turn out. Between the potent offense and stingy defense, Michigan State is clearly the better team in this one.
The question is: will they play like it? Or will Maryland play inspired football and put pressure on the Spartans?
Free NCAA Betting Pick: Michigan State -12
With the loss of Diggs, C.J. Brown is on his own in this one, which gives the Michigan State defense a really solid game plan to work with…and a really, really big advantage.
Final Week 12 Score: #12 Michigan State 31 – Maryland 13
Sparty rolls in this one. It really shouldn’t even be close.
Check out our Updated College Football Week 12 Odds.
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