Michigan St. vs. Minnesota Total Pick
Can No. 21 Michigan State have another strong defensive effort when the Spartans go on the road to face Minnesota on Saturday at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Michigan State is favored on the road on Saturday, as the Spartans are getting odds of -4 points against the Gophers. The over/under total has been set at just 40.5 points. Michigan State has won four straight meetings with the Gophers and the two have hit the under in three of their last four encounters. Saturday’s game takes place from TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota and will air live on the Big Ten Network.
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Minnesota has lost its last two games to fall to 3-2 on the season and 0-2 in the Big Ten. The Gophers are 3-2 with the over and have hit it in both conference games. The Gophers are holding opponents to 17.2 points and 314.4 yards per game. On offense, Minnesota is putting up 28 points and 359.8 yards per game. The Gophers have a good ground game, averaging 190 yards per game. Rodney Smith has run for 398 yards to lead the team while Shannon Brooks has 315 yards and five touchdowns. Conor Rhoda has thrown or 786 yards and five touchdowns, but also has four interceptions.
Michigan State is coming off a big 14-10 win at Michigan last week to improve to 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in the Big Ten. The Spartans are 4-1 with the under, hitting it in all four wins. MSU has a very strong defense, as the Spartans are allowing 16.4 points and 258.6 yards per game. Offensively, MSU is putting up just 22.4 points and 394 yards per game. The Spartans rely on the ground attack, as quarterback Brian Lewerke is the leading rusher with 309 yards while passing for 1,057 yards and nine touchdowns. L.J. Scott has 214 rushing yards, but he is listed as questionable for this game with an undisclosed injury.
Bet on Michigan State vs. Minnesota
This game should be a real defensive battle. Both teams have defenses capable of shutting the opposing offense down. Neither team has looked good with the ball in Big Ten play. The total is set low, but I think this one will hit quite easily. I don’t see either team getting to 20 points in this one as the offenses are too reliant on the running game.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: MICHIGAN STATE/MINNESOTA UNDER 40.5