The Michigan State Spartans, now ranked second in the country, host the Central Michigan Chippewas in college football action on Saturday. The game is scheduled for a noon start time and it will be televised live on the Big Ten Network. Currently the college football odds for the game have the Spartans favored by a comfortable margin in this one.
Michigan State opened the season ranked inside the Top 5 nationally, now they find themselves up at the second spot, earning first-place votes. But realistically, if the preseason polls weren’t a thing in college football would Michigan State be ranked this high? The Spartans haven’t looked good through three games this season, outside of beating Oregon at home. Connor Cook has found a reliable target in Aaron Burbridge, who hauled in three scores last week.
Michigan State is going to want to run the football early, if they can pound the rock with Madre London and LJ Scott, it will open up the pass game and allow Cook to have a solid game through the air as well.
Central Michigan has stumbled to a 1-2 start on the season, their two losses both came against power conference teams in Oklahoma State and Syracuse, although combined those losses were only by 12 points.
The Chippewas really had a solid offensive game against Syracuse, out-gaining the Orange 539-329 and piling up 30 first downs, but they just weren’t able to score enough points. Cooper Rush has a big arm and can lead the Chips down the field through the air, but they really have a weak running game. CMU has averaged just 2.5 yards per rush this season, which really will hinder their ability against Michigan State.
The Spartans aren’t the same defense they’ve had in the past, but they should be able to play well enough on the outside as Central will continue to struggle in the run game.
While the Chips have had a couple of moral victories against power conference teams, it would really take a colossal effort here.
Free Pick: Michigan State
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