The Maryland Terrapins (5-4, 2-4 Big Ten) and ninth-ranked Michigan State Spartans (8-1, 5-1) clash in a Saturday 4 p.m. ET game at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich. Below, we look at the Maryland vs. Michigan State odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Maryland went toe-to-toe with Penn State before eventually falling 31-14 at home last Saturday. The game was tied 14-14 early in the fourth quarter before Penn State scored the final 17 points. With the setback, the Terps have lost four of their last five and were held under 18 points in all four losses.
The Spartans lost their undefeated status with a 40-29 setback at Purdue last week. The Boilermakers broke free of a 21-21 game with 16 unanswered points over a key 20-minute stretch in the second half. Michigan State was touched up for 594 yards on defense. The Spartans have allowed 550-plus yards in three of their last five games.
Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Maryland at Michigan State odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:54 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Maryland +400 (bet $100 to win $400) | Michigan State -550 (bet $550 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Maryland +12.5 (-110) | Michigan State -12.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 60.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Maryland at Michigan State odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Michigan State 34, Maryland 24
Money line
Several advanced-analytic measures peg Michigan State as near 6.5 wins thus far, so its eight wins makes it vulnerable to be over-bet in general. The ATS play makes a bit more sense at the current tag. PASS, but something in the +450 range would make an overlooked Maryland squad with a tough slate so far worth a look.
Against the spread
Maryland’s passing game ranks 14th in the nation, and that’s by yardage against a solid schedule of defensive teams. MSU’s pass defense ranks 130th in the nation. The Spartans have yielded an untenable 327.1 passing yards per game.
Look for the Terrapins to be efficient, moving the chains on offense and able to stay within two scores. Parts of the market had the Terps price at +13.5 earlier in the week. MARYLAND +12.5 (-110) feels a bit late to the party but is perhaps worth some partial-unit action.
Over/Under
The Under has cashed in six straight Maryland-Michigan State games. Some Big Ten November weather and some ground-game grinding figure to shade this contest toward a seventh straight Under.
BACK THE UNDER 60.5 (-107).
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