Michigan St. vs. Nebraska Total Pick
Can Michigan State find some offense this afternoon when it goes on the road to face Nebraska today at Noon ET in Big Ten play?
Game Snapshot & Odds
415 Michigan State at 416 Nebraska
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Noon ET – Memorial Stadium
TV: FOX
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Michigan State is favored on the road, as the Spartans are getting odds of -1 point against Nebraska. The over/under total for the contest is currently listed at 48.5. The public betting for this game currently has 68 percent going Nebraska at home.
Nebraska gaining on offense
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are coming off a 54-35 win at home over Illinois last week. They have won three of their last four with lone loss being by four points at Ohio State. Nebraska is now 3-7 overall, 2-5 in the Big Ten, 4-5-1 against the spread and 6-4 with the over. They have hit the over in six of their last eight games.
Nebraska has found its stride on offense and comes into this game averaging 32.3 points and 482.6 yards per game. Their run game is putting up 226.5 yards per contest. Devine Ozigbo has rushed for 958 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead the offense while quarterback Adrian Martinez has run for 535 yards and seven touchdowns while throwing for 2,212 yards and 15 touchdowns. Stanley Morgan Jr. and JD Spielman has combined for 125 catches and 1,674 yards with 15 touchdowns. Defensively, Nebraska is allowing 33.8 points and 449.4 yards per contest.
Spartans unable to move the ball again
Michigan State suffered a 26-6 loss at home to Ohio State last weekend. It was their third loss in six games. MSU is now 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the Big Ten. They are 4-6 against the spread and 6-4 with the under. The Spartans have hit the under in five straight games.
The MSU offense is a mess right now. The Spartans are averaging just 21.7 points and 351.7 yards per game. They have been held to single digits in two of their last four games. Quarterback Brian Lewerke has thrown for 1,868 yards and eight touchdowns with nine interceptions, but he has a shoulder injury that is limiting his ability. Rocky Lombardi will play if Lewerke can’t. He has thrown for 419 yards and two touchdowns. Connor Heyward is the leading rusher on the team with 359 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, Michigan State is strong, giving up 19.7 points and 327.3 yards per game. Their run defense is allowing 76.5 yards per contest.
College Football Betting Trends
Nebraska
Nebraska is 9-1-1 with the over in their last 11 conference games and 9-3-1 with the over in their last 13 games against a winning team.
Michigan State
The Spartans have hit the under in five straight conference games and they are 20-8-1 with the under in their last 29 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Prediction:
Nebraska has looked good on offense as of late, but it faces a tough challenge in the Michigan State defense. The Spartans have held up defensively despite their offensive woes. If MSU starts Lewerke, the offense won’t move the ball much at all. If they opt with Lombardi, I expect MSU to have success on offense, but it will still be limited. MSU would ideally like to limit possessions and keep this game low-scoring. Either way, I think the game will be low scoring as the MSU defense should dictate the pace.
College Football Prediction: Michigan State/Nebraska Under 48.5
Related: Michigan State vs. Nebraska Spread Prediction