Utah St. vs. Michigan St. Prediction
Will No. 11 Michigan State have any trouble at home when it opens the season against upset-minded Utah State at 7PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
141 Utah State at 142 Michigan State
Friday, August 31, 2018
7PM ET – Spartan Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Michigan State is the clear favorite in this game, as the Spartans are getting odds of -23 points against Utah State. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 51 points. The public betting for this game currently has 63 percent going on Michigan State at home. 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 State a preseason contender
Michigan State won its final three games of the season, including a 42-17 win over Washington State in the bowl game, to finish the 2017 campaign at 10-3. MSU was also 8-5 against the spread while posting a 7-6 record with the under. The Spartans look to be in the mix in the stacked Big Ten East this year as they enter their 13th season under Mark Dantonio.
The Spartans are getting some preseason love due to a lot of returning players. MSU was great defensively last year, allowing just 20 points per game while putting up 24.5 per contest. The team brings back quarterback Brian Lewerke after he threw for 2,793 yards and 20 touchdowns while also rushing for 559 yards and eight scores. The Spartans also have leading rusher LJ Scott back. He rushed for 898 yards and eight touchdowns in 2017. Lewerke has his top three targets from last year returning as well, highlighted by Felton Davis III, who caught nine touchdown passes.
Utah State posts losing record
With a bowl loss to New Mexico State, Utah State finished the 2017 season with a 6-7 record. The Aggies were also 6-7 against the spread last season while going 9-4 with the over. Matt Wells is coming into his sixth season as head coach.
Utah State was an offense to deal with last year, as the Aggies put up 30.2 points per game. The defense struggled somewhat, allowing 26.9 per contest. Jordan Love came on as the starting quarterback late in the season and finished with 1,631 passing yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions. Love also cane move on the ground, but had just 165 yards last season. Utah State loses its leading rusher from last year, but has Ron’quavion Tarver back. He had a team-high 48 catches for 569 yards and seven scores.
College Football Betting Trends
Michigan State
Michigan State has covered the spread in nine of their last 11 home games and nine of their last 14 games on grass.
Utah State
The Aggies are just 1-7 against the spread in their last eight games on grass and 4-11 against the spread in their last 15 road games.
Prediction:
Openers haven’t necessarily been Michigan State’s thing in the past, as they haven’t been overly dominant against lesser competition. MSU has had a tendency to play down to their competition, but I think tonight goes differently. MSU has an offense that should be able to light up Utah State. The Spartans also produce pretty good defensive teams and I expect that they can do enough to contain Utah State. Covering this spread is a lot for MSU, but I think the Spartans will start fast and cruise to the end.
College Football Prediction: Michigan State -23