Michigan State vs. Maryland Total Pick
A pair of 5-win teams meet up this Saturday at Noon ET when Maryland plays host to Michigan State. Will the game be a defensive battle?
Game Snapshot & Odds
347 Michigan State at 348 Maryland
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Noon ET – Maryland Stadium
TV: ESPN2
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Michigan State is favored on the road, as the Spartans are getting odds of -2.5 points against Maryland. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 46.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 77 percent going on Michigan State 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.
Spartans get another upset win
Michigan State had another surprising win this past weekend, upset Purdue at home, 23-13. The Spartans have alternated wins and losses over their last five games. They are now 5-3 on the season, 3-2 in the Big Ten, 3-5 against the spread and 4-4 with the over/under. They have hit the under in three straight games.
The Spartans are pretty strong on defense, allowing just 21 points and 353.3 yards per game. The run defense is giving up just 77.4 yards per contest. On offense, Michigan State is putting up 23.4 points and 360.9 yards per game. Brian Lewerke sat out last game with a shoulder injury. He hasn’t been confirmed to play this week. He has thrown for 1,653 yards and eight touchdowns with seven interceptions. If Lewerke is out, Rocky Lombardi will fill in. He has thrown for 327 yards and two touchdowns. MSU is down its top two receivers with Felton Davis III done for the season and Cody White still recovering from a broken hand. He is questionable to return this week.
Terps dealing with coaching turmoil
Maryland is coming off a 63-33 win over Illinois last weekend, but the team has a lot of turmoil to deal with as coach DJ Durkin has been allowed to return to the team, leaving some players in disgust. Durkin has been accused of mental abuse of his players and was under investigation following the death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair in the summer. The Terps are now 5-3 on the season, 3-2 in the Big Ten, 5-3 against the spread and 4-4 with the over/under total.
The Terps are putting up 31.6 points and 377.6 yards per game on offense this year. They have a stout running game that averages 246 yards per contest. Anthony McFarland has run for 497 yards and two touchdowns to while Ty Johnson has 468 yards and three scores. Johnson is dealing with a calf injury and is questionable to play on Saturday. Kasim Hill has thrown for 966 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, Maryland is allowing 24.5 points and 337.8 yards per game. Their run defense is giving up over 150 yards per game.
College Football Betting Trends
Michigan State
Michigan State has hit the under in four of its last five against a winning team and 8-2 with the under in their last 10 after accumulating more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
Maryland
Maryland is 10-4 with the over in its last 14 conference games and 13-6 in its last 19 games on fieldturf.
Prediction:
This game features strength vs strength and weakness vs weakness. Maryland can run, but MSU can stop the run. Maryland can’t stop the run, but MSU can’t run. No matter who takes the field for the Spartans, I expect the offense to struggle on the road against Maryland. MSU’s defense will be up to the challenge as well, making this a low-scoring game. The return of Durkin could lead to some dismay, but it could also bring the players closer together in their frustration.
College Football Prediction: Michigan State/Maryland Under 46.5