There weren't many teams in America who took more great strides forward than did the Western Michigan Broncos. They aren't going to beat one of the Top 10 ranked teams in America, the Michigan State Spartans in Week 1, but there is certainly legitimate enough reason to believe they can at least make life a living nightmare on the men clad in green.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Don't think for one second that the oddsmakers and sharp bettors don't know it as well. The Broncos opened up at +18.5 at home, insinuating that they are around three touchdowns worse than Michigan State, but they have come down to +18.
We suspect there will be more drops in this price as we inch closer to Friday.
The total feels like it is high at 58.5, even after an opening price of 60 came down a point and a half.
KEY MISMATCH
The Broncos might have ranked No. 48 in the nation against the pass last year, but in this case, they are going to be severely overmatched by Connor Cook, an NFL prospect with a huge arm.
Western Michigan allowed 217.6 passing yards per game, but averaged 6.87 yards per pass attempt against as well. Cook isn't going to throw the rock 50 times in a game, but he isn't going to have to either.
This really isn't a slight on a WMU secondary, one which figures to be one of the best in the MAC in 2015. It's just a matter that Cook, who threw for 3,214 yards and 24 TDs last year, has a real advantage thanks to his pedigree and experience at MSU.
KEY STAT
50.0 – Michigan State's conversion percentage on third down last season. They didn't get themselves into oodles of third downs in 2014, but when they did, they got out of their problems in a hurry, ranking No. 7 in the nation in third down conversion percentage.
BETTING ANGLE
The Broncos were a pleasant surprise last season, going 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games as a part of an eight-win season. This year, they aren't going to be catching anyone in the MAC off-guard, though the perception is definitely still there that this is a team which has a ceiling, one which is probably not far off from what it accomplished last year.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Standout freshman defensive end Enoch Smith Jr. is dealing with a sports hernia and isn't likely to make his debut with the Spartans in Week 1.
That might not seem like that big of a deal in a vacuum, but when you're talking about going against a team which has 18 returning starters from a club which took major strides in the right direction, every healthy body helps.
Again, Cook is going to be leading a physical offense this season, and that is going to be enough to put this one in the win column for the Spartans, but there will be more than a few at Waldo Stadium wondering whether there could be magic in the air into the fourth quarter.
Michigan State 31, Western Michigan 21
The college football lines for this Friday game surfaced at BookMaker before anywhere else on the internet. The Michigan State Spartans are favored at -18.5 alongside a total of 60. Gamble on the game between every commercial break with BookMaker's live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen on the next play or how many points will be scored in the next quarter. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The duel between the Michigan State Spartans and the Western Michigan Broncos will take place at Waldo Stadium on Friday, September 4, 2015. This 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff can be seen live on ESPNU.
