Michigan State vs. Washington Prediction
#11 Michigan State travels to Seattle in search of their third consecutive win of 2022. They’ve beaten Western Michigan and Akron by a combined score of 87-13.
Unranked Washington beat their first two non-conference opponents, Kent State and Portland State by a combined score of 97-26. Week 3 in college football is where things start to get really interesting and this Saturday night clash illustrates that fact.
Game Matchup and Betting Odds
185 Michigan State Spartans +3.5 at 186 Washington Huskies -3.5; O/U 56.5
7:30 PM ET Saturday, September 17th, 2022
Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA
Michigan State vs. Washington Public Betting Information
The public is heavily favoring the Spartans at +3.5. Our CFB Public Betting Page shows that 75% of public bets are on Michigan State in this game. Do note that those numbers are subject to change and could be different once game time rolls around.
Michigan State Game Notes
Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne was very good last year (3,232 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, 10 interceptions), but has struggled a bit out of the gate this season. His completion percentage is only 57.7% and his touchdown-interception ratio is a pedestrian 4-3. He’s going to have to play better than he’s played all year for the Spartans to win this game on the road in a hostile environment.
Running back Jalen Berger should be able to help. He’s averaging 6.9 yards per carry on 33 totes and he’s already found the end zone 4 times on the ground. He should get at least 15 carries as the Spartans try to ease the burden on QB Payton Thorne.
Washington Huskies Game Notes
In college football’s annual game of quarterback musical chairs, the Huskies ended up with former Indiana signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. The lefthanded junior from Tampa showed promise with the Hoosiers but struggled with injuries and inconsistency. He never played in more than six games in a season for Indiana and never threw for more than 15 touchdowns in a season.
But he may have just needed a change of scenery. Washington’s head coach, Kalen DeBoer was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Indiana in 2019 while Penix was a freshman at the school. Not coincidentally, that was Penix Jr.’s best statistical season. He’s off to a great start for Washington this year, as he’s thrown for over 300 yards and multiple touchdowns in each of the Huskies’ first two games. How he fares against a better opponent (Michigan State is 19th in yards allowed per game) will be the story of this game.
Michigan State vs. Washington Betting Trends
Michigan State is 13-2 straight up in their last 15 games.
Washington is 6-9 straight up in their last 15 games.
66% of the handle is on Michigan State +3.5.
Michigan State is 10-3-2 ATS dating back to the beginning of last year.
Washington is 5-9 ATS dating back to the beginning of last season.
The under is 4-0 in Michigan State’s last four games following a win of 20+ points.
The under is 4-0 in Michigan State’s last four September games.
Michigan State vs. Washington Betting Prediction
Michael Penix Jr. has beaten Michigan State before. It was while he was with Indiana in 2020. In that game, he threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns. His passer rating was 143.4. I think he’s made some great strides with Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer and I think the Huskies win and cover as the public gets it wrong.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 3 PREDICTION: WASHINGTON HUSKIES -3.5