Michigan State at Northwestern College Football Picks & Predictions 10/28/2017

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Ryan Field

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

The Michigan State Spartans travel to Ryan Field to take on the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday, October 28, 2017. The opening line for this game has Michigan State as 1 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 41.5. The Spartans have an ATS record of 5-2-0 while their over/under record is 2-5-0. The Wildcats have an over/under record of 3-4-0 and they are 4-3-0 against the spread.

Valuable Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends

The Michigan State Spartans are 2-5-0 against the over/under

The Michigan State Spartans are 5-2-0 against the spread

Important Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends

The Northwestern Wildcats are 3-4-0 against the over/under

The Northwestern Wildcats are 4-3-0 against the spread

Key Michigan State Spartans Injuries

10/22/17 G David Beedle Ribs is "?" Saturday vs. Northwestern
10/22/17 TE Hussien Kadry Undisclosed is "?" Saturday vs. Northwestern
10/22/17 G Matt Carrick Undisclosed is "?" Saturday vs. Northwestern
10/22/17 WR Trishton Jackson Undisclosed is "?" Saturday vs. Northwestern
10/22/17 RB Weston Bridges Undisclosed is "?" Saturday vs. Northwestern
09/21/17 OL AJ Arcuri Undisclosed out indefinitely
09/03/17 WR Brandon Sowards ACL out for season

Key Northwestern Wildcats Injuries

10/22/17 WR Jalen Brown Lower Body is "?" Saturday vs. Michigan State
09/18/17 DB Brian Bullock Leg out for season
09/18/17 DB Roderick Campbell Undisclosed out for season
09/03/17 CB Keith Watkins II Knee out for season
08/31/17 DE Xavier Washington Suspension out indefinitely
08/23/17 DT Jake Saunders Undisclosed out for season
08/23/17 WR Solomon Vault Lower Body out for season

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Michigan State Spartans are 105th in Division 1 in points scored with 159. They have run 509 plays this season for 2,609 yards, which ranks them 98th in the nation in total offense. The Spartans average 5.1 yards per play, which is 104th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 142 1st downs this year, placing them 84th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Michigan State has run for 1,242 yards as a team, which ranks 52nd in the country. They've run 301 times, averaging 4.1 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Spartans have been penalized on offense 44 times for 373 yards so far this season, which has them 63rd in the nation in penalties. Brian Lewerke has thrown for 1,362 yards this season. He has completed 120 passes on 202 attempts for a completion percentage of 59.4%. His quarterback rating this year is 129.4. He averages 6.7 yards per pass attempt and 7.1 adjusted yards per throw.

Defensive Statistics

Michigan State is 16th in the nation in points allowed on defense with 118. They have surrendered a total of 1,831 yards on D, which is 4th in Division 1. The Spartans are ranked 6th in yards per play allowed with 4.2. Opposing offenses have completed 107 passes on 211 attempts against the Michigan State Spartans defense this season, placing them 18th and 43rd in the country. The Michigan State pass defense has also given up a total of 1,176 yards through the air, which is 10th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has allowed 226 attempts for 655 yards this year, putting them in 7th place in D-1 against the run. The Spartans have committed 38 penalties for 335 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 42nd in the nation.

Special Teams Stats

Michigan State is ranked 11th in the nation in punt returns with 17. They've accumulated 64 punt return yards and average 3.8 yards per return, which is 109th in college football. They have returned 15 kicks for 360 yards on special teams, ranking 81st in kick return yardage. The Spartans average 24 yards per kick return and they are 99th in the country in all-purpose yards with 3,032. The Michigan State Spartans have attempted 8 field goals this season and made 6, which is 90th in D-1. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 75%. Michigan State Spartans kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 19 for 19 this year. Their punters have totaled 1,738 yards on 41 punts, averaging 42 yards per punt. That places them 58th in Division 1 in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Wildcats have run for 958 yards as a team, which ranks 94th in the nation. They've run 268 times, averaging 3.6 yards per rush as a unit. The Wildcats have been penalized on offense 40 times for 393 yards so far this year, which has them 90th in the country in penalties. They are 91st in Division 1 in points scored with 182. They have run 543 plays this year for 2,756 yards, which ranks them 49th in the nation in total offense. The Northwestern Wildcats average 5.1 yards per play, which is 106th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 157 1st downs this season, ranking them 50th overall as an offensive unit. Clayton Thorson has completed 158 throws while attempting 263 passes for a completion percentage of 60.1%. He has passed for 1,688 yards this year. He averages 5.5 adjusted yards per throw and 6.4 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating this season is 117.2.

Defensive Statistics

The Northwestern Wildcats rush defense has given up 254 attempts for 849 yards this season, putting them in 25th place in the country against the run. They have had 33 penalties for 292 yards on defense this year. That places them 21st in Division 1. Northwestern is 49th in college football in points surrendered on defense with 163. They have given up a total of 2,570 yards on D, which is 45th in the nation. The Wildcats are 30th in yards per play allowed with 5. Opponent offenses have completed 148 throws on 258 attempts against the Northwestern defense this season, ranking them 97th and 108th in the country. The Northwestern Wildcats pass defense has also surrendered a total of 1,721 yards in the air, which is 86th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Northwestern Wildcats have tried 8 field goals this year and made 7, which is 76th in college football. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 88%. Northwestern kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 23 for 23 this season. Their punters have accumulated 1,568 yards on 36 punts, averaging 44 yards per punt. That ranks them 34th in the NCAA in punting average. Northwestern is 101st in the country in punt returns with 8. They've totaled 43 punt return yards and average 5.4 yards per return, which is 89th in D-1. They have returned 18 kicks for 319 yards on special teams, which puts them 97th in kick return yardage. The Wildcats average 18 yards per kick return and they are 95th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 3,118.

Who will win tonight's Spartans/Wildcats college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Spartans -1

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink