Michigan Wolverines at Michigan State Spartans Odds

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Spartans -2.5 (-7)
Game Total Line: (49)
(wagering lines available at 5Dimes)

In a classic Big Ten battle, the undefeated Michigan Wolverines will storm into Spartan Stadium this Saturday afternoon to square-off against Michigan State in this season’s edition of this annual in-state rivalry. This contest is slated to get underway at 12 p.m. (ET) and it will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

Michigan has put itself in prime position for a first-ever Big Ten Legends Division title. It is off to a 6-0 straight-up start including a 58-0 shutout of Minnesota as a 21-point home favorite two weeks ago followed by a 42-24 romp over Northwestern this past Saturday as a seven-point road favorite to kick-off its conference play a perfect 2-0. The total went ‘over’ in both of those games and is 3-3 on the year.

Heisman-hopeful Denard Robinson has only completed 54.9 percent of his passes for 793 yards and has almost as many interceptions (six) as touchdown throws (eight), but he continues to be a force as a duel-threat with 603 yards on the ground and six rushing touchdowns. Fitzgerald Toussaint has also been effective running the ball with 301 yards rushing and four TD’s.

Michigan State bounced back from a disappointing 31-13 loss to Notre Dame in mid-September as a six-point road underdog with two straight wins including a hard-fought 10-7 victory over Ohio State on Oct.1 as a three-point road underdog. The Spartans are 4-1 SU (3-2 ATS) and the total has stayed ‘under’ in four of the five games.

This team has got it done so far behind a passing attack that is averaging 269.2 yards a game and a defense that is ranked second in the nation in points allowed; giving up an average of just 10.2 points a game. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has completed 101-of-149 attempts for 1,197 yards and six TD’s. His main target this season has been wide receiver B.J. Cunningham, who has 38 receptions for 582 yards and two scores.

The Wolverines are 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall, but just 5-23 ATS in their last 28 games in the conference. The total has gone ‘over’ in six of their last eight games against the Big Ten.

The Spartans are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games against a team with a winning record, but just 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 games as three-point or less favorites. The total has stayed ‘under’ in four of their last five conference games.

Head-to-head in this series, the favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings and the total has stayed ‘under’ in three of those games. Michigan State has won the last three games both SU and ATS including a 26-21 victory as a four-point home favorite in 2009, which is the last time these two met at Spartan Stadium.

Game Betting Pick

Stick with recent trends in this series, as the Spartans once again successfully defend their home turf in this bitter in-state rivalry.
Take the Michigan State Spartans -2.5 at 5Dimes (Best Reduced Juice Sportsbook).