Michigan St. vs. Maryland Prediction
Can Maryland find a way to upset a struggling Michigan State football team at home when they meet up tonight at 7:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Michigan State is the slight favorite on the road, as the Spartans are getting odds of -3 points against the Terrapins. The over/under total for the game is listed at 51 points. Michigan State has won both Big Ten meetings with Maryland and the Spartans covered the spread in both meetings.
Bet on Michigan State vs. Maryland
Michigan State is really struggling right now. The Spartans have lost four straight to fall to 2-4 on the season and 0-3 in the Big Ten, while putting up a 1-5 record against the spread. The defense for MSU has really been disappointing as they are giving up 30 points per game. Just last week they gave up 490 yards in a 54-40 loss at home to Northwestern. The unit could also be without some key players as linebacker Riley Bullough (shoulder) and cornerback Darian Hicks (hip) are questionable to play. The offense is struggling somewhat as well, averaging just 24.2 points and 384.3 yards per game. They have been jumping around at QB the last few games but Tyler O’Connor finished last week’s game. He has 1,257 yards and 11 touchdowns this year, but also has six interceptions. The MSU run game started the year strong, but has just 817 yards on the season.
Maryland is coming off a 31-10 loss at home to the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Terps are 4-2 on the season, 1-2 in the Big Ten and 2-4 against the spread. Despite allowing 69 points over their last two games, the Maryland defense has put up good numbers for 2016, allowing an average of 21.2 points and 356 yards per game. However, they have struggled to stop the run, allowing 179.5 yards per game on the ground. When it comes to offense, Maryland is putting up 32.8 points and 404.3 yards per contest. Lorenzo Harrison and Ty Johnson have combined to lead the run game, as they have 764 yards with seven touchdowns. Perry Hills missed last game with a shoulder injury and is questionable to return this week. He has thrown for 622 yards and six touchdowns this season. If he can’t go, Tyrrell Pigrome is his replacement. He has thrown for 265 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions this season.
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The wheels are coming off the MSU bus right now. The defense is giving up big plays by the handful each week and the Spartans really don’t have much to play for. A bowl game isn’t much of a positive for a program that made the playoffs last year and have won the Big Ten multiple times over the last five years. Maryland, despite dropping their last two games, still is playing for a bowl game, which means a lot to the struggling program. Their defense should be able to get back on track this week against MSU and the Spartans have shown they can’t really stop anyone right now, so expect Marlyand’s offense to look good today and lead the Terps to a cover.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 8 PREDICTION: MARYLAND +3