Michigan State football vs. Miami: Odds, spread and prediction

Mel Tucker’s Michigan State football team is surging into their massive Week Three matchup against no. 24 ranked Miami.

It seems the Spartans continue to be disrespected by voters as the reluctant to pass Harbaugh-led Wolverines notched the no. 25 ranking heading into Week Three despite beating Western Michigan and what appears to be a rapidly regressing Washington Huskies program.

The unranked Michigan State football team beat a solid Northwestern team and what was considered a ‘throw away’ game over Youngstown State.

The Spartans have created a solid identity under Tucker by running the football and dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football early in 2021.  Through the first two contests of ’21, the Spartans are averaging 40 points per game which ranks 27th in the nation while yielding 17.5 points which ranks 44th in the country.

Over the first two games, the Spartans have averaged a stellar 8.8 yards per carry behind Kenneth Walker’s 321 yards and five rushing touchdowns in two games.  Walker III is averaging an unimaginable 10.7 yards per carry, and Jordon Simmons has also totaled 131 rushing yards on 21 totes.

Quarterback Payton Thorne has managed the Spartan offense efficiently in 2021, completing 65.2% of his passes, totaling 465 yards and five touchdowns without throwing an interception through the first two weeks.  Thorne won’t ‘wow’ you, but if he can protect the football, along with converting on third down, while the Spartans continue their 1-2 punch in the backfield, Michigan State may have the ability to play spoiler all season.

Michigan State football odds, spread, and prediction.

Miami opened the season by getting destroyed by Alabama to the tune of 44-13. The Hurricanes followed that up by barely squeaking by Appalachian State 25-23.

Why is this so disappointing?  Heading into the season, Miami quarterback D’Eriq King had been considered a Heisman Trophy candidate.  Through the first two games, he’s played himself well out of that conversation.

Michigan State football odds;

According to WynnBET, Miami is a 6.5 point favorite.  The Moneyline is as follows; Michigan State +195, Miami -245.  The Under/Over is set at 56.

I like the Spartans in this one at +6.5.  I’d be inclined to take Michigan State on the Moneyline as well, and I’m leaning to the Under.

I expect to see Tucker’s group focus on controlling the clock with their ground and pound game.  I’m predicting a close contest with a final score of 28-24 in favor of MSU.