Visiting Michigan Slight Favorites At Rival Michigan State In Top-10 Undefeated Showdown
Game week is finally here. Big bleeping game week, in fact, as two bitter in-state Big Ten rivals will meet Saturday in a top-10 college football showdown as the Michigan football team visits Michigan State.
Oddsmakers were listing Michigan as 4-point favorites on Sunday afternoon, although the line at FanDuel Sportsbook had slipped to 3.5 points shortly after listing. FanDuel was back up throughout the week, with the line reaching 4.5 points on Friday afternoon.
The over/under was set at 51.5 points. Favored Michigan (7-0, 4-0) had a moneyline of -200, while the Spartans (7-0, 4-0) were set at +160.
The No. 6 Wolverines took care of a potential trap game on Saturday, setting up one of the most anticipated games in the history of the storied rivalry. The winner will maintain its perfect season and also leave Spartan Stadium with the Paul Bunyan Trophy.
The noon EST kickoff will be carried on FOX. This will be one of the more anticipated sporting events in the first year of legal Michigan online sports betting.
Live lines are listed below.
Michigan at Michigan State: NCAA Football Week 9 Odds
Wolverines take care of Northwestern 33-7, setting up showdown
After a tight first half, the Wolverines broke away from Northwestern for a 33-7 win, comfortably covering a spread of more than three touchdowns.
Blake Corum (119 yards) and Hassan Haskins (110) rushed for two touchdowns apiece in the rout, as Michigan dominated with the run, defense and special teams, per usual.
The Michigan State game is just the start of a tough stretch run for coach Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines.
Michigan follows this game with Indiana, No. 7 Penn State, Maryland and No. 5 Ohio State in November to close the regular season.
Host Michigan State coming off bye week
The No. 10 Michigan State Spartans will be coming into the clash fresh off a bye week.
Running back Kenneth Walker III could probably use the rest. He’s carried the load for 997 yards rushing in the team’s first seven games. The Wake Forest transfer is a bona fide Heisman Trophy candidate, drawing +1800 odds from DraftKings Sportsbook while on the bye.
Coach Mel Tucker and the Spartans have handled all comers this year, including a coming-out-party win at Miami (Fla.) in September and a 23-20 overtime thriller against Nebraska the following week.
The last victory was a 20-15 defensive struggle at Indiana on Oct. 16.
Tucker is in just year two of his run at MSU, beating Michigan last year 27-24 in Ann Arbor as four-touchdown underdogs to the No. 13 Wolverines.