MSU vs. Penn St. Pick
Will No. 7 Penn State have a letdown performance when it takes on Michigan State this Saturday at 3:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Penn State is favored at home in this game, as the Nittany Lions are getting odds of -12.5 points against Michigan State. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 54.5 points. Michigan State has won three straight meetings with Penn State, covering the spread in all three wins.
Bet on Michigan State vs. Penn State
Penn State has plenty at stake in this game, as the Nittany Lions could punch their ticket to the Big Ten Championship with a win and an Ohio State win over Michigan. The Nittanly Lions are now 9-2 on the season and 7-1 in the Big Ten thanks to a 7-game winning streak. They are 7-3-1 against the spread on the year, covering in six straight games. PSU is averaging 35.8 points and 426.6 yards per game on offense this season. They have a run game that is putting up 187 yards per contest, led by Saquon Barkley’s 1,205 yards and 14 touchdowns. Trace McSorley has added 2,600 passing yards and 17 touchdowns while rushing for 359 yards and six scores. Defensively, PSU is giving up 23.7 points and 347.1 yards per contest, allowing under 200 passing yards per game.
Michigan State is coming off a 17-16 loss to Ohio State at home last week. The Spartans are now 3-8 on the season and 1-7 in the Big Ten. MSU is just 4-7 against the spread this season, but it has covered in two straight. MSU has picked up the defensive effort in recent weeks, allowing just 17 points in the last two games combined. They now allow 26.2 points and 355.9 yards per game. They also are strong against the pass, giving up under 200 yards per game. On offense, MSU is averaging 25.2 points and 399.7 yards per contest, including 178.5 rushing yards per contest. LJ Scott has run for 935 yards and six touchdowns to lead the rushing attack while Tyler O’Connor has thrown for 1,852 yards and 16 touchdowns with nine interceptions.
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Penn State is rolling along right now, but they aren’t accustomed to being in this position. If Ohio State beats Michigan, the Nittany Lions will be playing for a spot in the conference title game and potentially their playoff lives. It’s a lot of pressure for this group and coach James Franklin, especially against Michigan State, as team that has played in plenty of big games. The Spartans have a poor record, but have been playing much better in recent weeks. I expect MSU to put up a good fight in its season finale to cover the spread.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 13 PICK: MICHIGAN STATE +12.5