The unfathomable slide of the Michigan State Spartans continued last week, when they dropped their fourth straight game to Northwestern. Can the former top-10 team finally turn it around in Week 8 of the regular season against the Maryland Terrapins?
Michigan State went from College Football Playoff aspirations to suddenly in danger of missing a bowl game all together as it is 2-4 on the season and 0-3 in Big Ten play. Maryland is 4-2 overall but is a slight home underdog as gamblers still see some ability for a turnaround for Michigan State. The Spartans hope to live up to that billing but it could be a challenge.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 8 game is set for Saturday, October 22, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Maryland Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Michigan State -2.5
Maryland +2.5
Over/Under 55.5
Odds Analysis
The bettors are believing in a Michigan State turnaround. More than 70 percent of the early money is coming in on the Spartans to cover the spread and capture this road win.
The scoring total is pegged nicely as the “over” and the “under” are getting wagered on at similar rates.
Not surprisingly, Michigan State has really underperformed against the spread, covering only one time in six tries. The Spartans are 0-5 trying to cover as the favorite but they will give it another shot.
Maryland is 2-4 against the spread, so something must give in this one.
Injury Report
Maryland’s chances could be diminished if they don’t have the services of starting quarterback Perry Hills. He suffered a shoulder injury two games ago and didn’t play in a 31-10 loss to Minnesota last time out.
He seems on track to play in this game, but that is certainly a prognosis to watch. Hills has thrown for 622 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions this season. The Terrapins are 4-0 in games he has played all the way through and will aim to use him to pick up the home upset.
Key Stat
34.8. That’s the number of points the Spartans have given up during their four-game losing streak. Michigan State has long prided itself on a stingy defense, but it has not been present of late.
The Spartans are allowing 378.2 total yards per game, 229.7 of which comes through the air and another 148.5 on the ground.
Michigan State is in dire straits and needs its defense to get better in a hurry. Maryland is putting up 32.8 points per game, and if it comes close to that in this one, it could be tough for the Spartans to keep up.
Free ATS Pick
Michigan State has been a powerful program of late, and that’s why expectations were so high heading into the season. However, the Spartans won a pair of underwhelming games against Furman and Notre Dame before going on the losing streak against Wisconsin, Indiana, BYU and Northwestern.
The Spartans have a negative-5.8 points-per-game differential and if they had a different name on their jerseys wouldn’t be favored in this one.
Maryland is by no means a power or a lock to win this game, but it is 4-2 and plays at home. Michigan State has to be demoralized after the recent turn of events and it’s going to be really hard to bounce back.
Count on a nice game from Hills if he plays in order to lead Maryland to not just a cover but an outright upset. Michigan State is a shell of what people expected and its struggles will continue.
The “under” is the right call as this one may not be the most beautifully played game. However, the Terrapins will be happy to pull it out and improve to 5-2 on the season.
College Football Odds: Maryland 27, Michigan State 23
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