Pinstripe Bowl Prediction
Is Wake Forest being overlooked in today’s New Era Pinstripe Bowl when the Demon Deacons take on Michigan State 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 -4 points against Wake Forest. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 50 points. The public betting currently has 52 percent going on Michigan State as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Wake dealing with injuries
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.
Spartans struggle through the season
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.
College Football Betting Trends
Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons are 5-1 against the spread in their last six bowl games, and 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a loss.
Michigan State
The Spartans are just 3-13 against the spread in their last 16 games overall, but 5-2 ATS in their last seven bowl games.
Prediction:
I am a little confused as to why Michigan State is a favorite here. The Spartans won their last two, but that was against Rutgers and Maryland. They beat the Terps by just three at home. Any team of quality, Michigan State has struggled with this year. They lost five straight at one point and haven’t shown much consistency on either side of the ball. Newman is a QB that MSU should have trouble with and the Demon Deacons have enough talent on defense to give MSU problems. The Spartans just haven’t look good and I can’t pick them as a favorite against an 8-win team.
Pinstripe Bowl Prediction: Wake Forest +4
Related: Pinstripe Bowl Total Prediction