Rutgers vs. Michigan State Prediction
Can a team that has struggled to score touchdowns in recent weeks possibly cover nearly a four-touchdown spread when Michigan State hosts Rutgers today at 4PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
153 Rutgers at 154 Michigan State
Saturday, November 24, 2018
4PM ET – Spartan Stadium
TV: FOX
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Michigan State is the clear favorite at home in this game, as the Spartans are getting odds of -26.5 points against Rutgers. The over/under total for the contest is currently listed at 36.5 points. The public betting currently has 65 percent going on Rutgers on the road.
Michigan State not scoring points
Michigan State has lost two straight games to Ohio State and Nebraska, not scoring a touchdown in either loss. The Spartans are now 6-5 overall and 4-4 in the Big Ten. MSU is now 4-7 against the spread and 7-4 with the under. They are just 1-4 against the spread in their last five at home.
MSU has one of the worst offenses in the nation right now. They are 121st nationally in scoring at 20.3 points per game and 115th in total offense at 346 yards per game. Quarterback Brian Lewerke sat out last week with a shoulder injury and is questionable to play today. He has thrown for 1,868 yards and eight touchdowns with nine interceptions this year. Rocky Lombardi is his backup with 565 passing yards and two scores. Connor Heyward is the leading rusher with 439 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, MSU is pretty strong, allowing just 18.7 points and 320.1 yards per game. Their run defense leads the nation, allowing just 78.9 yards per game.
Rutgers can’t win
Rutgers has lost 10 straight games following a 20-7 loss at home to Penn State last weekend. The Scarlet Knights are now 1-10 overall and 0-8 in the Big Ten. Rutgers is 6-5 against the spread and 7-4 with the under. Despite the losses, Rutgers has covered the spread in four straight.
The Scarlet Knights are one of the worst offenses in the nation as well. They rank 129th in scoring at 13.8 points per game, while ranking 128th in total offense at 270.7 yards per game. Artur Sitkowski has thrown for 1,158 yards and four touchdowns and also has 18 interceptions. Raheem Blackhshear is the leading rusher with 580 yards and three touchdowns. He also is the leading receivers with 41 catches for 338 yards and two scores. Defensively, Rutgers is giving up 33 points and 409.8 yards per game.
College Football Betting Trends
Michigan State
Michigan State is 2-6 against the spread in its last eight games on grass, but 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games following a loss.
Rutgers
Rutgers is 5-2 against the spread in its last seven games in November, but just 1-4 ATS in its last five road games.
Prediction:
This spread seems crazy. Michigan State has scored 12 points the last two weeks against pretty average defenses in Ohio State and Nebraska. The Spartans haven’t won a game by 27 points all year. Their offense is a mess right now as they are unable to pass effectively. While Rutgers certainly isn’t a good team, especially on offense, the Knights have been pretty competitive the last month. They lost by just three to Northwestern, 14 at Wisconsin and 13 last week against Penn State. I think the Knights can do enough to cover this very big spread for MSU to take on.
College Football Prediction: Rutgers +26.5
Related: Rutgers vs. Michigan State Total Prediction