Michigan State Spartans vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights Prediction, 10/9/2021 College Football Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Michigan State Spartans vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Date: Saturday, October 9, 2021

Location: SHI Stadium in Piscataway, NJ

TV: BTN

Odds/Point Spread: Scarlet Knights (+3.5)

Total/Over-Under: 48.5

SHI Stadium is where the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-2) will try to defeat the Michigan State Spartans (5-0) on Saturday. Rutgers opens as 3.5-point underdogs. The total is set at 48.5.

The Michigan State Spartans step onto the field holding a record of 5-0 for this year. In their last contest, the Spartans took on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and walked away with a win by a score of 48-31. Payton Thorne connected on 20/30 with 327 yards passing and 1 touchdown. He had a QB rating of 169.2 and finished the game without throwing a pick. Kenneth Walker III was the best rusher for the Spartans with 24 carries for 126 yds (5.3 yds per carry). On the day, they had 73 plays which gave them 519 yds. The Michigan State Spartans ran the rock 43 different times and tallied 192 yds, earning them an average of 4.5 yds per carry. Against the run, the Spartans gave up 72 yds on 26 tries, which is 2.8 yards per run surrendered. Michigan State relinquished 46 completions on 65 attempts for 488 yds, and a completion rate of 70.8%.

The Spartans have earned 2,333 total yards this year. In terms of notching touchdowns, Michigan State has totaled 11 touchdowns via the pass and 11 touchdowns via the ground. They have turned the ball over 3 times. Michigan State has recorded 109 1st downs offensively, and they have been flagged for 32 penalties for 290 yards. As a unit they are averaging 210.8 yards in the run game which has them sitting 24th in the country. Concerning scoring points, the Michigan State Spartans are averaging 37.8 PPG.

Regarding passing yardage, the Spartans have conceded 1,548 yds which has them ranked 133rd in Division 1. They have conceded 309.6 yards per contest through the air as well as giving up a completion percentage of 65.7%. Over the course of this year, they are granting 428.8 yards per contest which ranks them 113th in the country. They have conceded 8 touchdowns by air as well as 4 touchdowns on the ground. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.3 yards per running attempt and 119.2 rushing yards per game so far this year. Over the course of this season, they have allowed 596 rushing yards through 5 outings. The Spartans are ranked 51st in D-1 when it comes to team defense, allowing 20.6 PPG.

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The Scarlet Knights come into this game with a record of 3-2 for this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Scarlet Knights went home defeated by a final of 52-13 when they faced the Ohio State Buckeyes. Noah Vedral ran the football 8 times for 34 yds, finishing the game with 4.3 yards per attempt for Rutgers. Noah Vedral (1 TD) walked away from the game with 152 yds on 16/26 through the air while his quarterback rate was 100.3. He tossed 3 picks and his Y/A was 5.8. Rutgers relinquished 37 rushing attempts for 208 yds (5.6 yds per rush). The Scarlet Knights passing defense gave up a completion percentage of 66.7%, surrendering 333 yds on 18 for 27 passing. The Scarlet Knights finished the game with a total of 346 yds and they ran 71 plays (4.9 yds per play). Rutgers rushed the football for 3.6 yards per tote, finishing the game with 111 yards on 31 carries.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights hold an average of 350.2 yards per game, which is good for 101st in college football. The Rutgers offense has totaled 152 penalty yards on 17 infractions, which is 128th in D-1 in terms of giving up free yards. During the season to this point, the Scarlet Knights currently have a total of 1,011 passing yards as well as an average of 202.2 passing yards per contest, ranking them 91st in Division 1. When discussing how much they score, the Scarlet Knights are sitting 66th in D-1 averaging 29.8 points per game.

Rutgers has surrendered a total of 668 yards rushing (133.6 yards per game) in addition to 6 touchdowns rushing for the campaign. They have allowed the opposition 6 touchdowns from the passing game in addition to 186.6 yards/outing, ranking them 43rd in the country. The Scarlet Knights defense has participated in 301 plays, which ranks 40th in D-1. The Scarlet Knights are allowing 21.2 points per game, which has them sitting 55th in college football. Overall, they have relinquished 106 pts.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Spartans -3.5

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