Michigan State at Notre Dame Betting Odds & Free Pick

Michigan State at Notre Dame Betting Odds & Free Pick

Written by on September 15, 2016

No. 18 Notre Dame lost its season opener in a thriller at Texas. That means the Irish can’t afford another loss Saturday night against No. 12 Michigan State or Notre Dame has essentially no chance of reaching the College Football Playoff. The Irish are home favorites in college football lines.

Taking a Closer Look at the Michigan State at Notre Dame Betting Odds, Free Pick & TV Info





When: Saturday, Sept. 17, 7:30 PM ET
Where: Notre Dame Stadium
TV: NBC
Opening NCAA Football Lines: Notre Dame -7.5 (52)

Why Bet on Michigan State?

Sparty (1-0) had last week off to prepare for this game off a less-than- impressive 28-13 season-opening win over Furman. Tyler O’Connor threw for 190 yards and three touchdowns. He went 13 of 18 with an interception in his second career start, but Michigan State let the Paladins hang around. Down 21-13, Furman took over at the Michigan State 44 with 11:49 remaining after O’Connor’s pass was intercepted. But P.J. Blazejowski’s pass was picked off on the very next play.

One of the benefits of Michigan State’s strange opening to its schedule is that it’s been able to remain largely an unknown through two weeks of the season, with one FCS opponent and a bye. This season marks the 50th anniversary of the famous “Game of the Century” 10-10 tie between No. 1 Notre Dame and No. 2 Michigan State on Nov. 19, 1966, in Spartan Stadium. Thirty-one players from that game went on to play in the NFL, including nine first-round draft picks. This is only the fourth time in the 32 meetings since the famous 1966 tie that both teams are ranked in the top 20 nationally. It’s also only the third time since the ’66 game that Michigan State is ranked higher when both are ranked in the top 20.

The Spartans have consistently produced wins against highly ranked teams under Mark Dantonio. Michigan State has won nine of its last 12 games played against ranked opponents, including five out of the last six. In the last 10 years, Sparty has been an underdog 11 times and is 9-2 ATS in those games, with seven outright upsets.

Why Bet on Notre Dame?

Through two games, including Saturday’s 39-10 win over Nevada, Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer ranks fifth in the NCAA in passing efficiency (195.9), sixth in TD passes (seven) and 15th with a 71.4% completion percentage. He has completed 30 of 42 passes for 371 yards and has rushed for 112 yards. Notre Dame’s offense certainly isn’t a one-man show. The Irish have a pair of running backs — sophomore Josh Adams and senior Tarean Folston —who have combined for 264 yards.

Notre Dame is averaging 222.5 yards per game rushing offense to rank 38th in the NCAA, while tallying 221.5 ypg passing offense, amassing 444.0 ypg total offense. Additionally, the Irish are 23rd in the nation in team passing efficiency (165.46) as well as 28th in scoring offense (43.0 ppg). UND is tied for 47th in third-down conversion percentage (.452).

Saturday’s game marks the 78th meeting between Michigan State and Notre Dame. The Irish lead the all-time series 48-28- 1, including a 29-13 record in games played in Notre Dame. Saturday will be the 251st straight sellout at Notre Dame Stadium. Every Irish home game since the final two home games in 1964 has been a sellout except one – a 1973 Thanksgiving Day game vs. Air Force.

Brian Kelly is 11-12 (.478) against Associated Press Top 25 teams as the head coach at Notre Dame and 21-16 (.568) overall, the eighth-best career winning percentage in such games among active coaches.

My Free Pick

Spartans are 7-1- 1 ATS in their last 9 meetings in Notre Dame.
Road team is 12-3- 1 ATS in their last 16 meetings.
Underdog is 3-1- 1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
Spartans are 0-3- 1 ATS in their last 4 meetings.

Irish likely win but it will be close. Take the points on NCAA Football lines and go under.