NCAAF Week 9 Betting – Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Wolverines
The Michigan State Spartans (6-2 SU, 4-4 ATS) are smarting from a rather tough defeat they took at the hands of Ohio State this past week. On Saturday they’ll engage in a Big Ten matchup with the Michigan Wolverines (2-5 SU, 1-6 ATS) in NCAA action that is set to kick off at 3:30 PM ET at Michigan Stadium (natural turf) in Ann Arbor, MI.
Saturday, October 25
BetUS NCAA Football Betting Odds: MICHIGAN STATE -5.5
Here are some of the NCAA college football betting trends as they relate to this matchup:
* MSU has won six of its last seven games SU
* MSU has played 12 of its last 18 games OVER the total
* MSU has covered four of its last five road games
* MSU has lost 15 of its last 23 road games SU
* MSU has played five of its last six road games OVER the total
* MICH has covered one of its last seven games
* MICH has lost four of its last five games SU
* MICH has played four of its last five games OVER the total
* MICH has covered one of its last six home games
* MICH has won 14 of its last 20 home games SU
* MICH has lost four of its last six home games SU
Also….
* MICH has covered five of the last six meetings
* MICH has won the last six meetings SU
* Five of the last seven meetings have gone OVER the total
* MICH has covered four of the last six meetings as the home team
* MICH has won the last five meetings SU as the home team
Both of these teams played against quality defenses last week, and with negative results. The Spartans were routed by Michigan State 45-7, in the process gaining just 52 yards on the ground. Javon Ringer, the nation’s second-leading rusher, was a virtual non-factor, with just 67 yards in 16 carries. And in this one, Ohio State jumped off to a 21-0 first quarter lead, pretty much taking Ringer out of the game.
Such is not likely to be the case here against Michigan, which has exceeded 23 points only once (with the use of a defensive TD against Wisconsin) and is 108th in total offense. Look, Rich Rodriguez has the kind of deal in place that is going to allow him to recruit players to fit his spread offense. His plan hasn’t matured yet. Last week’s 291-yard output against Penn State, which included some garbage yards, was explainable, but there was no excuse for a 290-yard performance against MAC also-ran Toledo the week before, resulting in a Wolverine loss to a team that won’t be going to a bowl game.
Brian Hoyer suffered a concussion and injuries to his hand in the Ohio State game. Kirk Cousins came in relief of Hoyer and completed 18 of 25 for 161 yards. However, the is not a quarterback controversy, according to coach Mark Dantonio, so Hoyer will likely be healthy enough to start, and will.
Steven Threet is the quarterback for Michigan, and he’s been inconsistent (52%). We might take a different look at this game if Justin Feagin, the redshirt freshman, was going to play. He’s the best fit for Rodriguez’s offense. But there is no guarantee of that, so we are going to side with the team that has the best weapon on the field (Michigan State, with Ringer). So it’s the Spartans, the 5.5-point favorite in the BetUS NCAA football betting odds.
