The Michigan State Spartans will be hosting the Air Force Falcons in college football action on Saturday. The game is scheduled for a 12:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ABC. Currently the betting odds for the game have the Spartans favored by almost four touchdowns at home.
Four touchdowns seems like an awful lot for a team that historically loves to run the football and has a big chunk in time of possession. Surely the Falcons will be missing starting quarterback Nate Romine, who fell to injury last week, but they’re going to have to go with senior Karson Roberts.
Air Force didn’t really dominate the time of possession in their first two games against Morgan State and San Jose State, but they cruised in both contests. Playing in East Lansing is going to be a considerable move up for the Falcons, but Troy Calhoun will have his team ready to go. Conditions are expected to be dreary and rainy, which could benefit the Falcons love for running the football. MSU has allowed only 70.5 rushing yards per game to opponents, which Air Force is aware of, but they’re going to continue to run the football anyway.
Michigan State is in a bad spot — the Sparties just beat Oregon and are a big favorite over a team from out west playing in a noon Eastern kickoff. This has the potential to be a letdown spot for them; Michigan State hosts Central Michigan next week. That’s not exactly a big game either so Mark Dantonio’s squad will have to keep things in perspective prior to the Big Ten season getting underway.
Spartan quarterback Connor Cook has been OK through two games, completing just under 56 percent of his passes with four touchdowns. He did throw a pick against Oregon but also accounted for two touchdowns. Michigan State will be the best offensive team Air Force has seen and the balance Sparty brings will win the game, but it’s not going to be a blowout.
L.J. Scott and Madre London has each scored twice on the ground for Michigan State and combined to rush for better than 310 yards through two games. The Falcon defense will get a steady diet of both, regardless of the weather.
This is the first meeting between schools, but Air Force has proven able to keep games close. The Falcons have dropped seven straight contests to power conference opponents, but four of those have been by a touchdown or less.
Free Pick: Air Force and the points
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