The Michigan State Spartans look to avoid losing three straight for the first time since 2009 when they play host to the BYU Cougars on Saturday in a Week 6 college football matchup at Spartan Stadium.
The Spartans saw their chances of a return date in the College Football Playoff take a major hit last weekend with their 24-21 loss to Indiana as 5-point road favorites. The loss leaves Michigan State with a 2-2 straight-up record on the year, and a 1-4-1 mark against the spread over its past six.
Conversely, the Cougars ended a three-game SU losing streak last Friday, topping Toledo 55-53 in an entertaining seesaw battle that BYU decided with a field goal with no time remaining. The win marked BYU's fifth straight contest settled by three or fewer points, a trend that has lifted it to 4-1 ATS this season, and 6-2 ATS in its past eight as a betting underdog.
Saturday's game marks the first-ever meeting between these two historic programs. The Cougars are 1-2 SU and ATS in their past three against Big Ten opponents, and face a Spartans squad that is 21-2 SU in 23 home games since the last time it lost back-to-back games in East Lansing four years ago.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to side with the Michigan State Spartans in this one found them as -5-point favorites at Sportsbook. The over under number was slated to open a short time later.
Odds Shark computer prediction formulas pick a 29-24 win for the Spartans on Saturday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.
BYU Cougars vs Michigan State Spartans Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Michigan State Spartans sit at 2-2 (1-3 ATS) on the season; in comparison, the BYU Cougars are currently 2-3 (4-1 ATS). Looking to bet on the totals? Michigan State is 1-3 OU, and BYU is 2-3 OU. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Michigan State vs BYU injuries news.
It's a betting matchup between the No. 44-rated Michigan State Spartans and the No. 38-ranked BYU Cougars, according to the NCAA College Football Power Rankings here at Odds Shark.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Michigan State's No. 105-ranked offense, averaging 22.75 PPG, against a BYU defense that ranks No. 70 this week at 28.2 PPG. The Michigan State aerial game is averaging 236 yards per game, less than the BYU Cougars secondary allows through the air, 310.2 YPG per game.
In comparing defenses, the BYU Cougars own the league's No. 49-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 144.33 yards per game when on the road. Michigan State, on the other hand, rates No. 115 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time we saw the Rockets, they had no answer for Jamaal Williams as the Cougars rolled to a 55-53 victory at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Michigan State lost its last outing 24-21 against Indiana on Saturday, getting a 141-yard receiving performance from R.J. Shelton in a losing cause at Memorial Stadium.
Next Betting Matchups
BYU home to Mississippi State, Friday, October 14th
Michigan State home to Northwestern, Saturday, October 15th