Michigan vs. Michigan State Prediction
Big Ten rivals clash in East Lansing on Saturday when No. 8 Michigan State hosts No. 6 Michigan at 12:00 p.m. ET. Will the Spartans continue their ATS dominance over the Wolverines?
Game Snapshot
123 Michigan Wolverines (-4.5) at 124 Michigan State Spartans (+4.5); o/u 50.5
12:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, October 30, 20201
Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
TV: FOX
Michigan Wolverines Game Notes
Michigan sophomore QB Cade McNamara completed 20-of-27 passes for 129 yards in a 33-7 victory over Northwestern on Saturday. McNamara (6’1/212) didn’t need to overextend himself, instead playing a familiar role of game manager for the Wolverines’ punishing ground attack. Despite having a long pass of just 18 yards on the day, McNamara completed 74 percent of his throws and helped Michigan convert 12-of-20 third down situations. Earlier in the week, he was singled out by PFF College as being the only quarterback in the nation with zero turnover-worthy throws. Thatt streak is firmly intact after his solid showing in the win over Northwestern. He will have a much stiffer test next week when Michigan travels to East Lansing to face in-state rival Michigan State.
Michigan State Spartans Game Notes
Michigan State redshirt senior QB Anthony Russo was charged with OWI and reckless driving on October 17, but was able to plea the charges down to just the reckless driving charge on Wednesday. Russo (6’5/245) was arrested at 2:55 AM on October 17 in East Lansing, with the arresting officer’s report stating that the MSU signal caller had a blood alcohol Content of .140, almost twice the legal limit of .08. He allegedly rolled through a stop sign and swerved in the road before getting pulled over and being administered the breathalyzer test. The judge stated the deal he struck was “a bit of an unusual resolution for what the initial charge was,” but ultimately agreed to accept the plea agreement. The Temple transfer successfully avoided the felony charge and will continue to serve as the backup QB to Payton Thorne going forward.
Michigan vs. Michigan State Week 9 Betting Prediction
The Wolverines are just 2-11 against the spread in their last 13 games versus the Spartans and are 1-5 against the number in their last six games in East Lansing. They’re also 2-6 against the spread in their last eight conference games, are 3-7 against the number in their last 10 games following a bye week and are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game. The Spartans, meanwhile, are 5-0-2 against the spread in their last seven games overall and are a perfect 4-0 against the number in their last four games played in the month of October.
College Football Week 9 Prediction: MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS +4.5
