Michigan vs. Michigan St. Total Pick
When bitter rivals, No. 6 Michigan and No. 24 Michigan State, collide this Saturday at Noon ET, will the points be hard to come by?
Game Snapshot & Odds
331 Michigan at 332 Michigan State
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Noon ET – Spartan Stadium
TV: FOX
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Michigan is favored on the road, as the Wolverines are getting odds of -7 points against the Spartans. The over/under total for the game is listed at 41.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 60 percent going on Michigan on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Football Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Michigan on a roll
The Michigan Wolverines are on a 6-game winning streak right now following a dominant 38-13 win over Wisconsin at home this past weekend. The Wolverines are now 6-1 overall, 4-0 in the Big Ten, 4-3 against the spread and 4-3 with the over/under. U-M has hit the over in four of its last five games. Karan Higdon has been tremendous in the backfield, rushing for 687 yards and six touchdowns. Shea Patterson has provided a boost at the QB position Michigan hasn’t had in recent years. He has thrown for 1,311 yards and 10 touchdowns this year.
Michigan has a great defense that is holding opponents to only 15.4 points and 238 yards per game. Their pass defense is among the best in the country, allowing only 129.1 yards per game. Offensively, Michigan is averaging 38.1 points and 424 yards per contest.
Michigan State upsets Penn State
The Spartans are coming off a big upset win at Penn State last week, 21-17. This came a week after suffering a 29-19 loss at home to Northwestern. MSU is now 4-2 overall, 2-1 in the Big Ten, 2-4 against the spread and 4-2 with the over.
The Spartans have been tough defensively, allowing 22.3 points and 348.7 yards per game this year. The MSU run defense is among the best in the nation, allowing just 62.3 yards per game. Offensively, Michigan State is putting up 26.2 points and 394.5 yards per game. The rushing attack hasn’t really gotten started for MSU this year. LJ Scott continues to sit out with a hamstring injury and its uncertain if he will actually return this week or at all. Connor Heyward is actually the leading rusher with just 191 yards. Brian Lewerke has thrown for 1,587 yards and eight touchdowns this year, but also has seven interceptions while Felton Davis III has caught 31 passes for 474 yards and four scores.
College Football Betting Trends
Michigan
Michigan has hit the over in its last five games in October and in eight of its last nine road games against a team with a winning home record.
Michigan State
Michigan State has hit the over in four straight home games and in six of its last eight overall.
Prediction:
Michigan State is a team that has played to the level of its competition this year. The Spartans sink to the level of lesser opponents but then rise up for tougher teams. I expect that this week. For that to happen, defense needs to stand out. The Spartans have too many injuries on offense to keep pace with Michigan in a shootout. I think the MSU defense will be tough against the run and force Patterson to have to do more than he has needed to, which will lead to fewer points. The total is low, but I think this should be a grind.
College Football Prediction: Michigan/Michigan State Under 41.5