Michigan State Spartans at Indiana Hoosiers
Saturday, 10/8/12, 12:00 PM EST, TV: Big Ten Network
Opening Point Spread: Michigan State -15
Current Betting Line: Michigan State -15.5
Opening Total: 49.5
Current Total: 48
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Michigan State suffered a 17-16 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes as two-point home favorites last week, as the program has dropped four of five games against the spread this year. The Spartans are dealing with numerous injuries on the offensive line, which could play a huge factor the rest of the season. A slip up here would be fatal to the team’s chances of making a run in the Big Ten Conference, considering its won 11 of the last 13 meetings in this series. Michigan State is 5-0 ATS as a road favorite the last two-plus years, which is an important trend to handicap when making your college football predictions this week.
The Spartans have faced the Big Ten’s toughest and the nation’s 11th-most difficult schedule. Michigan State is one of just three teams in major college football to face three ranked teams before Oct. 1, with the others being Arizona and Kentucky. Since 2010, this program has won more Big Ten games (13) than any other conference team, sitting just ahead of the Wisconsin Badgers (12). Running back Le’Veon Bell is a true playmaker, ranking sixth in the country in averaging 131.0 yards per game on the ground.
Indiana is hosting its first Big Ten opponent of the 2012 campaign, as it comes off a 44-29 loss to the Northwestern Wildcats as 12.5-point road underdogs. The Hoosiers allowed 394 rushing yards in that contest, which could lead to a major problem in facing one of the better running backs in college football. Saturday’s game will serve as the school’s 100th Homecoming, which is important when you consider that it knocked off Michigan State in this type of situation in 2006. Indiana is 6-2 ATS as a home underdog over the last two-plus seasons, with the OVER going 5-3 in that situation.
The Hoosiers lead the conference in averaging 311 passing yards, while sitting third in averaging 34.2 points per game. Indiana also has proven to be able to run the ball, with its running backs combining for 159 yards rushing on 28 carries last week. Head coach Kevin Wilson has a very youthful roster, as 22 of the 29 starters this season have been underclassmen.
Sports bettors will likely back the Hoosiers due to their 4-1 ATS mark at home versus winning road teams, while the road team is 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings.
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