Categories
NCAA Football

Michigan State Spartans 2015 NCAA Football Odds & Predictions

2015-2016 Football Previews (Big Ten)- Spartans

The Michigan State Spartans have accomplished a lot in the last few years. Mark Dantonio has turned this team into a perennial power. Michigan State has won at least 11 games in four of the last five years. The Spartans must replace defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, and that’s definitely a big loss.

NCAA Football Gambling Lines

Big 10 Lines

Big Ten 2015-2016 College Football Preview – Michigan State Spartans
Head Coach: Mark Dantonio
2014 Record: 11-2
Odds to Win College Football Championship (from BetOnline): +2,500
Odds to win Big Ten (from BetOnline): +600
Season Win Total (from 5Dimes): 9.5

Still, Dantonio is a defensive-minded coach, and the Spartans have a ton of talent.

Michigan State only lost two games last year and those losses were against Ohio State and Oregon. Since those were the two teams who played in the National Championship Game last year, I think it’s fair to say that Michigan State avoided any bad loss in 2014.

[dfads params=’groups=63738&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

The Spartans return 7 starters on offense and 7 starters on defense. Their huge comeback in the bowl win over Baylor served as a nice springboard for this season.

Team Strengths

Connor Cook is a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback. Cook threw for 3,200 yards and 24 touchdowns last year, and the Spartans are almost definitely going to be throwing the football more often this year. Cook is a guy who many thought would be going pro after last year, but he stuck around and now he’s the team leader. Having a senior star under center is a wonderful weapon for a team like the Spartans.

Michigan State’s offensive front is one of the best in the nation. The Spartans allowed only 11 sacks last year. That’s a remarkable number, and that pared with the fact that Connor Cook is a precision passer makes the Michigan State offense scary. The Spartans don’t have a star running back this year, but the offensive line will carve out some nice holes for whoever is running the ball.

Michigan State also has one of the best defensive lines in the country. You should know by now how important being strong in the trenches is, and Michigan State definitely fits the bill.

[dfads params=’groups=66501&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Shilique Calhoun is a future NFL star at the defensive end spot. His quickness around the edge is tremendous. In the past four years, Michigan State hasn’t allowed more than 3.3 yards per carry in a season and that should continue again this year.

Team Weaknesses

The running game. Michigan State lost a key piece in Jeremy Langford. Langford ran for 1,522 yards last season and the team relied heavily on him in the red zone. It will be next to impossible to get that kind of production from the running backs the Spartans will have this year. Though Connor Cook and the passing game will be great, Michigan State’s offense will be hurting if they become totally one-dimensional.

The Spartans’ secondary has been tremendous the last few years, but they lost a bunch of talent from last year. All four starters from last year’s secondary are gone. There are still talented recruits here, but that isn’t the same as having stars who have proven themselves on the field for many years. It’s been a “no-fly zone” the last few years, but this year’s secondary will definitely take a step backward.

Michigan State Spartans 2015-2016 Prediction: 11-2

Michigan State should be very good this year. The Spartans have a great front seven on defense and a veteran star at the quarterback spot. I like the over 9.5 for their season win total.

[dfads params=’groups=63739&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Michigan State’s program just continues to impress, and I think they’ll be a top-10 team again this year.

Michigan State Football 2015 Schedule

9/4/15 8:00 PM ET @WMU
9/12/15 8:00 PM ET ORE
9/19/15 12:00 PM ET AFA
9/26/15 TBD CMU
10/3/15 TBD PUR
10/10/15 8:00 PM ET @RUTG
10/17/15 TBD @MICH
10/24/15 TBD IND
11/7/15 TBD @NEB
11/14/15 TBD MD
11/21/15 TBD @OSU
11/28/15 TBD PSU

The 2015 College futures betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on NCAA football, you are in the best possible place for online betting. CappersPicks.com has NCAAF odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find College football lines up for early games as well.

More Posts:

And…as always click to view our top cappers COLLEGE FOOTBALL daily plays CLICK HERE!

Check out our Updated College Football Odds.

[dfads params=’groups=63706&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

By Kyle Hunter

Kyle Hunter sports picks – A degree in finance and a great ability to follow important trends and statistics set him apart from the rest. Totals are Kyle's specialty, so look for a lot of totals picks from NBA, NCAAF, & the NFL. Check out his plays today.