On Saturday afternoon in East Lansing, Mich., in-state rivals will compete to stay unbeaten and in the College Football Playoff discussion. The No. 6 Michigan Wolverines take on the No. 8 Michigan State Spartans in an early game with high stakes. This season, Michigan is 7-0, with a 4-0 record in Big Ten play. Michigan State has the same record as the Spartans, but the Spartans get a week of rest following a bye week.
The game will begin at 12:00 ET at Spartan Stadium. In the most recent Michigan vs. Michigan State odds, Caesars Sportsbook has the Wolverines as four-point road favorites. The total point over/under is set at 50.5. Check out the SportsLine Projection Model’s college football predictions and betting tips before making any Michigan State vs. Michigan choices.
Every FBS college football game is 10,000 times simulated by the SportsLine Projection Model. The proprietary computer model has earned a staggering return of over $3,900 for $100 participants on its top-rated college football predictions against the spread over the last five years. It also enters Week 9 of the 2021 season with a 26-11 record on all top-rated college football choices. Anyone who has followed it has reaped enormous benefits.
The model has now zeroed in on Michigan vs. Michigan State and has just locked in its prized choices and forecasts. To view all of the model’s CFB choices, go to SportsLine right now. Here are the Michigan State vs. Michigan college football odds and trends:
Michigan vs. Michigan State odds and spread: 2021 college football predictions, Week 9 from a proven methodology
Michigan vs. Michigan State spread: Michigan -4
Michigan vs. Michigan State over-under: 50.5 points
Michigan vs. Michigan State money line: Michigan -200, MSU +170
MICH: The Wolverines are 6-1 against the spread this season
MSU: The Spartans are 5-1-1 against the spread in 2021
Why Michigan can cover
This season, Michigan’s best strength has been its running game, with the Wolverines dominating the Big Ten and placing in the top five nationally with 253.3 rushing yards per game. Jim Harbaugh’s squad boasts two top-tier running backs and a powerful offensive line, and Michigan State will struggle to shut down Michigan’s ground game. The Wolverines’ offense isn’t their only strong suit, as their defense is also strong.
more Michigan vs. Michigan State odds
The Wolverines are second in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 14.3 points per game, and no team in the Big Ten has allowed fewer touchdown runs (three). The Wolverines are ranked second in the Big Ten in overall defense (299.0 yards allowed per game), while they rank fourth in passing defense (182.4 yards allowed per game) and running defense (182.4 yards allowed per game) (116.6 yards allowed per game). Against Michigan, opponents are connecting on just 54.6 percent of their passes.
Why Michigan State can cover
Junior running back Kenneth Walker III is a viable Heisman Trophy contender for the Spartans. Walker has 997 running yards this season, which is second in the NCAA and first in the Big Ten. Walker is the heart of Michigan State’s attack, averaging 6.6 yards per carry with nine running touchdowns. The Spartans are third in the Big Ten in both overall offense (451.7 yards per game) and scoring offense (24 points per game) (34.3 points per game).
Michigan State can also move the ball via the air, averaging 9.2 yards per pass attempt with 15 touchdown passes and just four interceptions. Jayden Reed and Jalen Nailor are both top-10 wide receivers in the Big Ten, with Reed leading the league in yards per catch (20.8) and Nailor ranked second with six receiving touchdowns.
How to make Michigan State vs. Michigan picks
SportsLine’s model favors the point total, predicting 52 total points. It has also produced a against-the-spread prediction that pays off in 60% of simulations. SportsLine is the only place where you can view the model’s selection.
So, who wins the game between Michigan and Michigan State? And which side of the spread wins 60% of the time in simulations? Visit SportsLine now to discover which side of the spread to take, all based on the analytical model that has won almost $3,900 on its FBS college football selections over the last five years, and find out.
