No. 15 Michigan State Spartans at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Saturday, 9/17/11, 3:30 PM EST, TV: NBC
Opening Point Spread: Notre Dame -5
Current Betting Line: Notre Dame -4.5
Opening Total: 49.5
Current Total: 51
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Michigan State has been listed as an underdog in the betting odds in one of the more interesting lines for Week 3 of the college football season. The Spartans rank second among opponents in all-time victories (28) over Notre Dame, including a 34-31 victory as 3.5-point favorites a year ago. The program is getting very little respect in posting wins over Youngstown State (28-6) and Florida Atlantic (44-0), especially considering the team allowed just a single first down and 48 yards of total offense last week. “To do that in 2011,” Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio stated. “When you have so many concepts out there that an offense takes advantage of is pretty incredible.” Michigan State is 5-3 ATS in road games the last two seasons.
The Spartans know they are likely in for a battle facing a Fighting Irish team that is winless through two games, but a close game is always expected in this rivalry. Nine of the last 11 games in this series have been decided by seven points or less. Dantonio has enjoyed great success during the month of September in leading a program, coming in with a 20-11 record, including a 15-4 mark with this current team. Fifth-year senior quarterback Kirk Cousins is aiming to finish his career as a starter in this series with a 2-1 record.
Notre Dame is one of nine schools nationally to have over 1,021 yards in total offense, which is the highest mark for an Irish team after two games since 1974. The Fighting Irish have dominated opponents in terms of yardage this year, especially in the first quarter, out-gaining South Florida and Michigan by a 297-89 margin. It still hasn’t been good enough and head coach Brian Kelly has stated the fact. “We’re not good enough,” Kelly stated after the team’s 35-31 road loss to Michigan as three-point road favorites. “And I mean across the board.” Quarterback Tommy Rees has enjoyed great personal success despite the program’s woes, throwing for 13 touchdowns over his last five games. Notre Dame is 3-13 ATS as a favorite.
The Fighting Irish will be meeting the Spartans for the 75th time this weekend, leading the series with a 45-28-1 lead. Notre Dame will also be welcoming in the highest-ranked Michigan State team in 32 years, which could end up being a good thing, as the program handed the No. 7 Spartans a 27-3 loss in that contest back on Sept. 29, 1979. Fans inside Notre Dame Stadium should be aware that their beloved team is 5-4 following a defeat versus Michigan in this series.
Bettors will likely back the Spartans due to their 10-4 ATS mark versus independents, while the Irish are 1-8 ATS in September.
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