Spartans vs. Wolverines PICK ATS 10/31/20

Michigan State Spartans (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS) vs. Michigan Wolverines (1-0, 1-0), 10/31/20

Time: 12 pm ET Saturday, Oct. 31

Where: Michigan Stadium

TV: Fox

Point spread: Spartans +25/Wolverines -25 (BetNow – Special 100% bonus up to $1000 is likely to end in a few days! Don’t miss out on a whack of free cash! Deposit $1000 and get $1000 extra added to your betting account! The best bonus we’ve ever seen!) 

Over/Under: 55

Not too long ago, Michigan State enjoyed a nice run in its rivalry with Michigan, winning seven of eight meetings from 2008-’15, including that miracle at the Big House five games ago. But the Wolverines are working on turning the series back around, winning three of the last four meetings, heading into Saturday afternoon’s battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy in Ann Arbor. Michigan’s favored by the biggest spread in this series in a long time. Who do we like here for our Week 9 college football pick?

College Football Betting Odds

This week’s college football betting odds opened Michigan at around -25 over Michigan State, with an over/under of 53.5. Early betting action then goosed that total to 55.

Spartans vs. Wolverines Betting Preview

Michigan State opened its season and the Coach Tucker era last week with a disappointing 38-27 loss at home to Rutgers. The Spartans, playing as 9.5-point favorites, allowed the Scarlet Knights to drive the opening possession of the game 75 yards to a touchdown, then fumbled the ball away on their own first two possessions. MSU trailed 14-0 eight minutes in and 28-13 at the half. The Spartans then scored the first touchdown out of the locker room to get within 28-20 with plenty of time left but came up empty from there, losing to a team that had lost 21 Big Ten Conference games in a row.

On the day, Michigan State actually out-gained Rutgers 369-276 and won first downs 23-16. But the Spartans turned the ball over a ridiculous seven times, leading directly to three Knights touchdowns, and twice failed on 4th-and-shorts when the game was still up for grabs.

Michigan State only returned eight starters this season from a team that played 7-6 SU, 4-9 ATS last season. Five starters came back on offense, including three along the offensive line, but they lost their starting quarterback and last year’s top two receivers. And only three starters returned on defense. So it looks like MSU might go through an extended learning curve under the new coaching regime.

The Spartans are playing against a season wins over/under of 3.5 for this season.

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Michigan, meanwhile, opened its season with a 49-24 win over Minnesota in Minneapolis last week. The Wolverines, playing as three-point road favorites, spotted the Gophers the first seven points of the game, thanks to a blocked Michigan punt on the opening possession. But the Wolverines then scored the next 14 points to take a lead they’d never relinquish. Michigan led 35-17 into halftime, let Minnesota get within 35-24 early in the third quarter but closed things out from there for the win and the money.

On the night, the Wolverines out-gained the Gophers 478-326, out-rushed Minnesota 253-129, and won the turnover battle 2-0. There were a few burps, mainly early in the game, like the blocked punt and three missed field goals, but starting K Quinn Nordin is expected to return this week.

The Wolverines returned 11 starters this season from a team that played 9-4 SU, 7-6 ATS last season. Five starters came back on offense, including last year’s leading rusher and top two receivers, but they lost their starting quarterback and four along the O-line. Fortunately, Michigan may have found its new QB, after Joe Milton, making his first college start last week, hit on 15/22 throws for 225 yards and rushed for 52. Meanwhile, six starters returned on defense for the Wolverines, including three along the front line, although they also lost last year’s top three tacklers.

Michigan is playing against a wins O/U of 6.5 for this season.

Spartans-Wolverines Recent History

Michigan is 3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS over the last four meetings in this rivalry, after spanking the Spartans last year 44-10. The Wolverines spotted MSU an early touchdown, then scored the next 24 points of the game, on their way toward the win and the cover at -14.

College Football Betting Trends

• Michigan State’s Tucker is 5-8 SU, 6-7 ATS as a college head coach.
• Michigan is 48-18 SU, 32-34 ATS in five-plus seasons under Coach Harbaugh.
• Totals Report
• Michigan State’s game against Rutgers last week played over a total of 44.5 thanks mainly to a 41-point first half.
• Michigan’s game against Minnesota last week played over a total of 53 thanks to a 52-point first half.

Free College Football Pick

Michigan just beat Minnesota by 25 last week, and the Gophers are better than the Spartans. Plus, the Wolverines got good play out of their young quarterback. On the other side, Michigan State trailed Rutgers – they of a 21-game conference losing streak – by double-digits basically all day. Also, thanks to the cessation of athletic activities last Spring and the limited practice time this Fall, the Spartans are still going through a steep learning curve under their new HC. We’ll give the points here with Michigan. Note: If you’re in a college, you need to be saving every dollar you can to get by, not to mention chicks don’t date broke dudes! Dump your overpriced bookie TODAY and start risking -105 odds instead of the -110 your book is charging you. Betting on games at -105 instead of -110 may not sound like much, but it adds up to THOUSANDS of dollars in savings over the long haul! Bet smarter! Make the switch to reduced juice sports betting at BetAnySports! You’ll be so glad you did!