Pinstripe Bowl Total Pick
Can Michigan State break out of its offensive slump when the Spartans take on Wake Forest in the Pinstripe Bowl on Friday at 3:20PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
New Era Pinstripe Bowl
229 Michigan State vs. 230 Wake Forest
Friday, December 27, 2019
3:20PM ET – Yankee Stadium
TV: ESPN
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new NCAAF Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Michigan State is the slight favorite in this game, as the Spartans are getting odds of -3.5 points against Wake Forest. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 50 points. The public betting currently has 57 percent going on Wake Forest as the underdog. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Spartans an offensive mess
Michigan State struggled on offense this year, but managed to win its last two games against Rutgers and Maryland to get bowl eligible. The Spartans are 6-6 on the season, 3-9 against the spread and 7-5 with the under.
MSU is putting up just 22 points and 361.5 yards per game on offense this season. Defensively, the Spartans are allowing 22.7 points and 319.2 yards per game. Brian Lewerke has thrown for 2,759 yards and 16 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He also has rushed for 317 yards and two touchdowns. Elijah Colins is the top rusher with 892 yards and five touchdowns, while Cody White is the top receiver with 58 catches for 825 yards and five scores. Collins, along with other top receiver Darrell Stewart Jr., are both questionable to play in this game due to injury. Kenny Willekes is leading the MSU defense with 69 tackles and nine sacks.
Wake struggles down the stretch
Wake Forest is coming off a 39-30 OT loss at Syracuse to end the season. The Demon Deacons lost three of their last four games to come into bowl season. Wake Forest is 8-4 on the season, 5-6-1 against the spread and 7-5 with the under.
The Demon Deacons are putting up 32.8 points and 473.4 yards per game this season, including nearly 300 passing yards per game. Defensively, Wake Forest is giving up 29.3 points and 409.8 yards per contest. Jamie Newman is leading the Demon Deacons with 2,693 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. He also has rushed for 487 yards and six scores. He is dealing with a leg injury, but is probable to play. Cade Carney and Kenneth Walker III each have 555 rushing yards and nine combined touchdowns. Sage Suratt is the leading receiver with 1,001 yards and 11 touchdowns on 66 catches. He is out for this game with a shoulder injury. Carlos Basham Jr. is leading the defense with 53 tackles and 10 sacks.
College Football Betting Trends
Michigan State
The Spartans are 6-2 with the over in their last eight bowl games, but 15-5 with the under in their last 20 games overall.
Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons are 10-4 with the over in their last 14 non-conference games and 9-4 with the over in their last 13 games following a loss.
Prediction:
Wake Forest has been able to move the ball on almost any opponent and I think it will be able to move on Michigan State. The Spartans have good defensive numbers, but didn’t face a number of great offenses this year. MSU still gave up 34 to Ohio State, 31 to Indiana, 38 to Wisconsin and 44 to Michigan. The MSU defense is now what it used to be. The Spartans are a mess on offense. Though Wake isn’t a good defense, I just don’t know that I can trust them to move the ball consistently. Their inability to produce points is my main concern for the over hitting here. I expect Wake to get into 28-35 range, but I am not sure Michigan State will do much of anything, especially if their top skill players are out.
Pinstripe Bowl Prediction: Michigan State/Wake Forest Under 50