Tulsa vs. Michigan State Prediction
Can No. 18 Michigan State snap out of its bad offensive showing from 2018 when the Spartans open the season at home against Tulsa tonight at 7PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
151 Tulsa vs. 152 Michigan State
Friday, August 30, 2019
7PM ET – Spartan Stadium
TV: FS1
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Michigan State is the clear favorite in this game, as the Spartans are getting odds of -23.5 points against Tulsa. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 48 points. The public betting currently has 53 percent going on Michigan State as the home favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
MSU struggled on offense in 2018
Michigan State is coming off a 7-6 record in 2018 where it went 5-4 in the Big Ten. The Spartans struggled with playcalling, but shifted around the coaching staff to address the issue. MSU is in its 13th season with coach Mark Dantonio. The Spartans were just 4-9 against the spread in 2018 while going 9-4 with the under.
Despite the offensive struggles, MSU still had one of the best defenses in the nation last year, giving u just 17.2 points and 303.1 yards per game. Their run defense was best in the nation, allowing only 77.9 yards per game. The defense has eight starters back this year, including all four on the d-line. Offensively, MSU struggled a great deal. The Spartans averaged 18.7 points and 342.1 yards per contest. Brian Lewerke is back at quarterback to lead the offense while Connor Heyward returns at RB. He rushed for a team-high 529 yards last year. Leading receiver Cody White is back. He had 42 receptions for 555 yards and two scores.
Tulsa looking to rebound
The Tulsa football team is coming off a shaky 2018 season where it went 3-9 overall and 2-6 in the AAC West. The Golden Hurricanes are entering their fourth year with coach Phillip Montgomery. Tulsa was 5-7 against the spread and 8-4 with the under last year.
The Hurricanes have been a powerful offense in past seasons, but averaged just 24.1 points and 377.6 yards per game last season. Zach Smith is hoping to turn that around as starting QB this year. He is a transfer from Baylor. He will have some veteran receivers to work with and Shamari Brooks in the backfield. Brooks rushed for 967 yards and seven touchdowns a year ago. Corey Taylor II is also back. He has 846 rushing yards with 11 touchdowns. Defensively, Tulsa gave up 29.6 points and 407.7 yards per game. Their run defense was among the worst in the nation, giving up 233.1 yards per game.
College Football Betting Trends
Michigan State
The Spartans are just 1-6 against the spread in their last seven home games and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games on grass.
Tulsa
Tulsa has failed to cover in four straight against Big Ten opponents but is 7-2 ATS in its last nine games on grass.
Prediction:
Michigan State really didn’t have much to offer on offense last year. The shuffling of the coaches, and the team healing up, should help, but I still don’t know that the Spartans are going to really overwhelm Tulsa tonight. The Golden Hurricanes are likely to struggle against this MSU defense, but I just am not sure the Spartans are going to really blow this Golden Hurricanes team out of the water. MSU has struggled to cover in non-conference games, so I will take Tulsa with the points in a sloppy offensive game.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: Tulsa +23.5
Related: Tulsa vs. Michigan State Total Prediction