Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Michigan State Spartans Prediction, 10/2/2021 College Football Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Michigan State Spartans

Date: Saturday, October 2, 2021

Location: Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI

TV: FS1

Odds/Point Spread: Spartans (-8)

Total/Over-Under: 59

The Michigan State Spartans (4-0) host the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (1-2) at Spartan Stadium on Saturday. Western Kentucky opens this matchup as 8-point underdogs from Vegas oddsmakers. The total is set at 59.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers head into this game 1-2 this season. The last time they took the field, the Hilltoppers went up against the Indiana Hoosiers and went home with a loss by a final score of 33-31. Adam Cofield was the rushing leader for the Hilltoppers with 10 attempts for 40 yards (4.0 yards per carry). Bailey Zappe went 31/44 with 365 yds passing and 3 touchdowns. He had a QB rate of 162.6 and ended the contest without throwing a pick. On the ground, the Hilltoppers gave up 134 yds on 39 attempts, which calculates to 3.4 yards per run surrendered. Western Kentucky allowed 35 completions on 53 attempts for a total of 373 yards, and a completion rate of 66.0%. Overall, they had 64 plays which gave them 458 yards. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers ran the football 20 different times and amassed 93 yards, which is an average of 4.7 yards per tote.

When it comes to scoring, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are sitting at 41.7 points per contest. As a unit they maintain an average of 81.3 yards rushing which is 121st in college football. The Hilltoppers currently have 1,522 total yards this season. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, Western Kentucky has totaled 14 touchdowns via the pass and 3 rushing touchdowns. Western Kentucky has a total of 71 1st downs as an offense, and they have been flagged for 22 infractions for 148 yards. They have surrendered the ball 2 times.

When talking about yards through the air, the Hilltoppers have allowed 645 yards which puts them in 35th in the country. They are giving up 215.0 yards per game through the air as well as allowing a completion percentage of 58.8%. In total, they are allowing 439.7 yards per outing putting them at 121st in the country. They have given up 2 touchdowns through the air and 9 touchdowns on the ground. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 4.8 yards per rush and 224.7 yards on the ground per game on the season. During this campaign, they have conceded 674 rushing yards through 3 games. The Hilltoppers are sitting in 116th in D-1 when it comes to team defense, allowing 30.7 points per game.

Get all of our College Football Picks

The Spartans head into this matchup 4-0 this season. When they last stepped on the gridiron, the Spartans walked away with a victory by a final of 23-20 when they faced the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Kenneth Walker III carried the rock 19 times for 61 yds, finishing the game with 3.2 yards per attempt for Michigan State. Payton Thorne (1 touchdown) ended the contest with 183 yards on 14/23 through the air while his QB rating was 133.4. He had 1 pick and his average yards per attempt was 8.0. Michigan State allowed 48 rush attempts for 188 yards (3.9 yds per rush). The Spartans secondary allowed a completion rate of 69.4%, relinquishing 252 yards on 25 out of 36 through the air. The Spartans finished with a total of 254 yds and they ran 53 plays (4.8 yds per play). Michigan State ended up running for 2.4 yards per attempt, finishing with 71 yds on 30 attempts.

In relation to this team's ability to score points, the Spartans currently rank 38th in the country averaging 35.3 points per contest. For the season thus far, the Spartans have earned 952 yards through the air as well as an average of 238.0 passing yards per game, which has them ranked 61st in the country. The Michigan State Spartans average 453.5 yards per game, ranking them 34th in the country. The Michigan State offense has racked up 230 yds of penalties on 26 violations, which is good for 58th in college football in terms of making mistakes.

The Spartans are giving up 18.0 points per contest, which has them sitting 45th in the country. Michigan State has given up a total of 524 rushing yards (131.0 yards per game) and 4 touchdowns rushing for the season. In total, they have surrendered 72 total points. They have yielded 5 touchdowns via the pass and 265.0 yards/outing, which has them sitting 119th in the nation. The Spartans defense has been on the field for 326 plays, which has them ranked 135th in D-1.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Hilltoppers +8

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