The Michigan State Spartans (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) and the Maryland Terrapins (3-1, 0-1) meet Saturday at SECU Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX Sports 1). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Michigan State vs. Maryland odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Spartans rose quickly in the rankings with a pair of impressive wins over two MAC teams to open. The offense was fire, the defense was solid, and things were looking up. However, Michigan State has slipped to .500 with 2 losses in a row at Washington (39-28) and home to Minnesota (34-7).
The Terrapins opened the non-conference schedule with a 3-0 SU/2-1 ATS record, but they lost their conference opener 34-27 at Michigan last Saturday. However, it did give the No. 4 Wolverines a very difficult time in The Big House and cashed as a 17-point underdog.
Check out: AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Michigan State at Maryland odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Michigan State +250 (bet $100 to win $250) | Maryland -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Michigan State +7.5 (-110) | Maryland -7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 58.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
Claim your risk-free bet up to $350. Catch the excitement and start betting with Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Bet now!
Michigan State at Maryland picks and predictions
Prediction
Maryland 31, Michigan State 26
Moneyline
As impressive as Maryland (-300) was last weekend in Michigan, playing a top-5 team to a 1-score game, you cannot risk 3 times your potential return. It’s just too much risk for not enough of a reward.
PASS.
Against the spread
MICHIGAN STATE +7.5 (-110) is a proud team that still has the pieces to be very good. It just needs to pull out of its nosedive.
QB Payton Thorne and the offense should find plenty of open spaces to operate against a Maryland pass defense that has allowed 260.3 yards per game to rank just 98th in the country. That will keep it in the game until the end, and that 7 and a hook is big.
Over/Under
The UNDER 58.5 (-115) is worth playing slightly.
The Under is 4-1 in the past five games for the Spartans and is 6-1 in their last 7 meetings with UMD.
The Terps have cashed the Under in 3 of 4 games overall, including last week’s near-miss in the conference opener. This game won’t be confused with a defensive slog, but it won’t be a shootout, either.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Want action on this game or any other NCAA football matchup? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]
[mm-video type=playlist id=01fb7dafw2b08817yr player_id=none image=https://sportsbookwire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]