Northwestern at Michigan State College Football Picks and Predictions 10/6/2018

Saturday, October 6, 2018

Spartan Stadium

Get todays College Football Odds & Lines on this game

The Northwestern Wildcats head to Spartan Stadium to play the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday, October 6, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Michigan State as 9.5 point favorites. The Wildcats are 2-2-0 against the spread and their over/under record is 2-2-0. The Spartans are 1-3-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 3-1-0.

Valuable Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends

The Northwestern Wildcats are 2-2-0 against the over/under

The Northwestern Wildcats are 2-2-0 against the spread

Important Michigan State Spartans Betting Trends

The Michigan State Spartans are 3-1-0 against the over/under

The Michigan State Spartans are 1-3-0 against the spread

Key Northwestern Wildcats Injuries

09/30/18 DL Ben Oxley Undisclosed is questionable Saturday vs Michigan State
09/30/18 LB Nate Hall Lower Body is questionable Saturday vs Michigan State
09/30/18 SB Trey Pugh Undisclosed is questionable Saturday vs Michigan State
09/24/18 RB Jeremy Larkin Undisclosed is out for season

Key Michigan State Spartans Injuries

09/30/18 WR Cam Chambers Undisclosed is questionable Saturday vs Northwestern
09/30/18 WR Darrell Stewart Jr. Ankle is questionable Saturday vs Northwestern
09/30/18 G Kevin Jarvis Ankle is questionable Saturday vs Northwestern
09/30/18 RB LJ Scott Hamstring is questionable Saturday vs Northwestern
09/29/18 WR Jalen Nailor Undisclosed is OUT Saturday vs Central Michigan
09/20/18 DT Mufi Hunt Knee is out indefinitely
09/11/18 P Jake Hartbarger Leg is OUT 6-8 weeks
08/06/18 CB Josiah Scott Leg is out indefinitely
08/04/18 CB Tyson Smith Medical is out for season

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Northwestern Wildcats are 118th in the country in points scored with 89. They have run 324 plays this year for 1,475 yards, which ranks them 67th in Division 1 in total offense. The Wildcats average 4.6 yards per play, which is 121st in the nation. As a team they have accumulated a total of 91 1st downs this season, ranking them 86th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Northwestern has run for 379 yards as a unit, which ranks 126th in college football. They've run 144 times, averaging 2.6 yards per rush as a unit. The Wildcats have been penalized on offense 13 times for 136 yards so far this year, which has them 128th in the country in penalties. Clayton Thorson has passed for 927 yards this year. He's completed 87 throws while attempting 143 passes for a completion percentage of 60.8%. His quarterback rating this season is 118. He averages 6 adjusted yards per throw and 6.5 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

Northwestern is 57th in the country in points surrendered on defense with 107. They have given up a total of 1,516 yards on D, which is 36th in D-1. The Wildcats are 86th in yards per play allowed with 5.7. Opponent offenses have completed 80 throws on 122 attempts against the Northwestern Wildcats defense this season, ranking them 53rd and 27th in the nation. The Northwestern pass defense has also surrendered a total of 947 yards in the air, which is 50th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 142 attempts for 569 yards this season, putting them in 39th place in the country against the run. The Wildcats have had 39 penalties for 377 yards on defense this year. That places them 116th in college football.

Special Teams Stats

Northwestern is 21st in the country in punt returns with 11. They've totaled 62 punt return yards and average 5.6 yards per return, which is 96th in D-1. They have returned 8 kicks for 170 yards on special teams, which puts them 88th in kick return yardage. The Wildcats average 21 yards per kick return and they are 112th in the nation in all-purpose yards with 1,707. The Northwestern Wildcats have tried 4 field goals this year and made 2, which is 113th in college football. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 50%. Northwestern Wildcats kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 11 for 11 this season. Their punters have accumulated 834 yards on 22 punts, averaging 38 yards per punt. That ranks them 112th in the NCAA in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Spartans have run for 531 yards as a team, which ranks 113th in college football. They've run 156 times, averaging 3.4 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Michigan State Spartans have been penalized on offense 31 times for 271 yards so far this season, which has them 54th in the country in penalties. They are 89th in the nation in points scored with 117. They have run 279 plays this season for 1,536 yards, which ranks them 85th in Division 1 in total offense. Michigan State averages 5.5 yards per play, which is 87th in college football. As a team they have accumulated a total of 88 1st downs this year, placing them 97th overall as an offensive unit. Brian Lewerke averages 8.2 yards per pass attempt and 7.2 adjusted yards per throw. He has completed 80 passes on 122 attempts for a completion percentage of 65.6%. His quarterback rating this year is 139.7. He has thrown for 999 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Michigan State Spartans rush defense has allowed 109 attempts for 164 yards this year, putting them in 1st place in D-1 against the run. Michigan State has committed 24 penalties for 238 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 48th in college football. They are 32nd in the nation in points allowed on defense with 88. They have surrendered a total of 1,317 yards on D, which is 15th in the country. The Spartans are ranked 22nd in yards per play allowed with 4.7. Opposing offenses have completed 111 passes on 173 attempts against the Michigan State defense this season, placing them 119th and 109th in Division 1. The Michigan State Spartans pass defense has also given up a total of 1,153 yards through the air, which is 88th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Michigan State Spartans have attempted 6 field goals this season and made 6, which is 38th in D-1. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 100%. Michigan State kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 13 for 13 this year. Their punters have totaled 690 yards on 17 punts, averaging 41 yards per punt. That places them 82nd in Division 1 in punting average. Michigan State is ranked 85th in the nation in punt returns with 6. They've accumulated 47 punt return yards and average 7.8 yards per return, which is 82nd in college football. They have returned 7 kicks for 202 yards on special teams, ranking 71st in kick return yardage. The Michigan State Spartans average 29 yards per kick return and they are 108th in the country in all-purpose yards with 1,785.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Wildcats +9.5

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