BYU vs. Michigan St. Prediction
Will BYU and Michigan State be able to put up enough points to hit a low total today at 3:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Michigan State is favored at home, as the Spartans are getting odds of -5.5 points against the Cougars. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 49.5 points. These two have no recent meetings to consider.
Michigan State is coming off a surprising 24-21 OT loss to Indiana on the road last week to fall to 2-2 on the season and 0-2 in the Big Ten. The Spartans have hit the under in three of four games this year, with the lone over coming against defense-less Notre Dame. The Spartans just haven’t been able to put points on the board, averaging only 22.8 points per game despite averaging 406.3 yards of offense. The defense is giving up 23.8 points per game but holding opponents to just 345.3 yards per contest. The defense will be without stud DT Malik McDowell for the first half of the game and linebacker Riley Bullough is out with a shoulder injury. Offensively, Tyler O’Connor has thrown for 918 yards this season and eight touchdowns, but also has five interceptions. LJ Scott is leading the ground game with 302 yards and two scores.
BYU is coming off a 55-53 win over Toledo at home to improve to 2-3 on the season. The Cougars have hit the under in 3 of 5 games. BYU is giving up 28.2 points and 444.2 yards per game on defense this season, but the Cougars have faced some very talented offensive teams. They are also averaging 27.6 points and 425.2 yards per game on offense, but again, the opposing teams haven’t been strong on defense. Taysom Hill has thrown for 1,117 yards and five touchdowns this season, but also has six interceptions. Jamaal Williams has been the leader with 703 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
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I don’t expect this game to light up the scoreboard. Even if both teams are able to move the ball on the ground, their quarterbacks have been turnover prone and struggle in the red zone. BYU should be looking forward to facing this MSU offense after battling the likes of Toledo, West Virginia and a slew of Pac-12 teams. MSU should be able to force Hill to have to beat them, which will lead to some poor possessions.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 6 PREDICTION: BYU/MICHIGAN STATE UNDER 49.5