The Michigan State Spartans and Northwestern Wildcats meet Friday in the season opener for both teams at Ryan Field in Evanston, Ill. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Michigan State at Northwestern odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Spartans were able to trip up the Wildcats 29-20 last season in East Lansing, one of a few bright spots in an otherwise bleak first campaign for head coach Mel Tucker. Sparty has a pretty decent defense, but the offense will be breaking in a new quarterback and the run game should struggle, too.
The Wildcats turn to former Clemson recruit QB Hunter Johnson under center, and he has one of the top backs in college football to take the pressure off of him. RB Cam Porter has the chance to be one of the top tailbacks in the Big Ten, and OL Peter Skoronski is a star up front.
Michigan State at Northwestern odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 10:55 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Michigan State +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Northwestern -170 (bet $170 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Michigan State +3.5 (-125) | Northwestern -3.5 (+102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 46.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Michigan State at Northwestern odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Northwestern 26, Michigan State 17
Money line
NORTHWESTERN (-170) isn’t terribly expensive if you would like to just bet them straight up and avoid messing with the points.
The Wildcats, the defending West Division champs in the Big Ten, likely have had this game circled on the schedule for a long time. Not because it is the opener, but because they’re looking for revenge after a loss in East Lansing last season.
Against the spread
NORTHWESTERN -3.5 (+102) is worth a look laying the 3 and a hook, especially at plus-money. The Wildcats will have a very good rush attack and should be able to make noise against a Michigan State side which is very average. If the Wildcats grab the early lead, Sparty doesn’t quite have the pieces in place in the pass game to clap back.
Over/Under
The play is UNDER 46.5 (-110), even though a line in the 40s in this era of college football is rather low but Northwestern is old school, chewing up clock in the run game, while playing suffocating defense.
The lack of top-notch skill position players for Michigan State will make the Wildcats D look even better, too.
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Joe Williams on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]