Last Updated on August 28, 2025 9:50 pm by Anthony Rome
If you’re fired up for a high-stakes Week 1 showdown, the Western Michigan Broncos make the short trip to East Lansing to face the Michigan State Spartans on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Spartan Stadium. Kickoff lights up at 7:00 p.m. ET on FS1, setting the stage for a compelling contrast of emerging momentum and transitional rebuilds in college football.
Game Preview & Prediction
Western Michigan vs. Michigan State
- Date & Time: Friday, August 29, 2025 — 7:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan
- TV: FS1 / FOX One
Current Betting Odds (via Bovada.lv)
- Spread: Michigan State –21.0 (–110)
- Moneyline: MSU –1600 / WMU +800+
- Over/Under: 49.5 (–110)
(Note: Betting odds from Bovada.lv as listed at time of access.)
Public Betting Snapshot
Check out the latest college football public betting trends and how the fan money is shifting on this matchup.
News, Notes & Storylines
- Michigan State’s Momentum: The Spartans come into the opener as heavy 20.5-point favorites, with pundits expecting MSU to assert dominance early and ride a wave of offseason development to a comfortable win.
- Emerging Weapons: QB Aidan Chiles, despite some freshman-year growing pains, is pegged to improve, while rising WR Nick Marsh draws attention as a go-to playmaker.
- Broncos on the Rebuild: Western Michigan faces manpower challenges after losing multiple starters, particularly on the offensive line and defense, raising concerns about depth and cohesion.
- Coaching Continuity vs. Transition: WMU’s third-year head coach Lance Taylor battles to maintain progress, while MSU’s Jonathan Smith, in Year 2, aims to show the fruits of his system taking hold.
Past Meetings (Last 3 Games)
- 2024: Michigan State dominated with a decisive win, reinforcing the trend of Big Ten superiority.
- 2023 & 2022: Similar patterns—MSU held the upper hand, winning both matchups by double-digit margins, often by 20+ points.
(Note: Consistent past results underscore MSU’s established edge.)
Final Prediction
Expect a controlled, decisive home performance by Michigan State. Final score projection: Michigan State 38, Western Michigan 14.