Spartans Big Road Favorites for Week 1

The Michigan State Spartans are 19-1 SU and 13-7 ATS in their last 20 games against MAC teams and will be looking for a sixth straight win against Western Michigan when they visit the Broncos on Friday as double-digit favorites.

The Spartans finished at 11-2 in 2014 and currently ride a five-game SU road winning streak. Michigan State was also a solid bet as a double-digit favorite in 2014, going 8-1 ATS when favored by 10.5 or more points.

After going 1-11 in 2013, Western Michigan enjoyed a bounce-back season a year ago, finishing 8-5 SU. The Broncos were also a strong 6-1 ATS as underdogs, but wrapped up the season on a sour note by losing outright as favorites in their final two games.

Friday night's matchup at Waldo Stadium marks the Spartans' first visit to Western Michigan. Michigan State is a perfect 5-0 SU (but just 2-3 ATS) in their last five games against the Broncos, including a 26-13 win in their last meeting in 2013.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

Odds makers at Sportsbook had the Western Michigan Broncos as 23.5-point underdogs in the matchup, while the betting total had not been set at press time (check Sportsbook for the latest on the over under).

Odds Shark score prediction models pick a 35-24 result in favor of the Spartans on Friday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.

Michigan State Spartans vs Western Michigan Broncos Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

Western Michigan will face the 11-2 Michigan State Spartans, who own a 9-4 ATS mark on the season. In totals betting, the Western Michigan Broncos are 8-5 so far this season while the Spartans are 10-3. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Western Michigan vs Michigan State injuries news.

The game pits the Western Michigan Broncos, currently No. 21 in our Odds Shark NCAA Football Power Rankings, against the Michigan State Spartans, who rate No. 4 in the latest survey.

Statistical Matchup

The game also pits Western Michigan's No. 34-ranked offense, averaging 33.77 PPG, against a Michigan State defense that ranks No. 22 this week at 21.54 PPG. The Western Michigan aerial game is averaging 267.31 yards per game, more than the Michigan State Spartans secondary allows through the air, 227.31 YPG per game.

Defensively, the Michigan State Spartans feature the league's No. 3-rated road run defense, allowing 91.67 yards per game. Western Michigan, meanwhile, ranks No. 89 in rushing offense at home.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

Connor Cook led his team to victory last time out, throwing for 314 yards Thursday as the Spartans downed the Bears 42-41 at AT&T Stadium.

Corey Davis hauled in 8 passes for 176 yards against the Air Force defense in the team's last game, but the result was a 38-24 loss against the Falcons on Saturday.

Betting Trends
  • Michigan State is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
  • Michigan State is 21-2 SU in its last 23 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 12 of Michigan State's last 15 games
  • Michigan State is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
  • Western Michigan is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games
  • Western Michigan is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Western Michigan's last 6 games
  • Western Michigan is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home

Next Betting Matchups

Michigan State home to Oregon, Saturday, September 12th
Western Michigan at Ga Southern, Saturday, September 12th

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