Michigan State Football at Northwestern: Odds, line and prediction

Michigan State football will begin their Big Ten schedule right from the get-go in 2021 as Mel Tucker’s group heads to Ryan Field to square off against a familiar foe.

The Northwestern Wildcats will be looking to avenge last season’s embarrassing loss to the Spartans on Friday evening.  Michigan State football handed the Wildcats its first of two consecutive losses, beating them to the tune of 29-20 in 2020.

Northwestern was sitting pretty with an unbeaten record and ranked as the No. 8 team in the country heading to East Lansing but came away widely disappointed.  And the disappointment continued, as a loss to Ohio State followed in the Big Ten Championship game.

Northwestern would eventually finish last season with a 7-2 record and capped off their incredible season by beating Auburn in the Citrus Bowl 35-19.  This after producing an atrocious 3-9 overall record just a year prior.  Needless to say, it seems head coach Pat Fitzgerald has Northwestern pointed in the right direction.

Michigan State football is still trying to find their identity and a starting quarterback under Mel Tucker.

Michigan State football might be your best bet if you are looking to wager on an underdog Friday evening.

The Spartans look to put their 2-5 record of a year ago behind them. It’s a roster that’s seen significant turnover from last season, but the big question remains who will start at quarterback for the Spartans.

Tucker has held his cards close to his vest this summer, and the unknown may be the most intriguing thing right now surrounding this program.

Tucker will choose between redshirt sophomore Payton Thorne and Temple transfer Anthony Russo.  Perhaps both quarterbacks will see time under center in the opener.

Michigan State football week one details.

What: Michigan State vs. Northwestern

Where: Ryan Field, Evanston, Illinois

When: 9 p.m. Est.

Television: ESPN

According to WynnBet, Michigan State football enters the contest as three-point dogs despite owning the series of late.  The Spartans have won seven of the previous eight matchups against Northwestern.

I do believe Mel Tucker can will his Spartans to an upset road victory over Northwestern in week one.  I’ll go with a 20-17 score prediction.

Complete betting trends can be found here.

Over/Under: 

46.0 (Over: -110/Under: -110)

Spread:

Michigan State +3.0: -105

Northwestern -3.0: -115

Moneyline:

Michigan State: +135

Northwestern: -160