College Football Futures: The 2013 college football season was a year of glory for the Michigan State Spartans as they won the Big Ten Conference for the first time since 1987 and humiliated the hated intra state rival Michigan Wolverines along the way in a game in which they abused their “big brothers” with a devastating defense that threw the Maize and Blue around like helpless rag dolls. Michigan State has now established itself as a team that will be a perennial Big Ten contender. The Spartans opened as 25/1 to win the BCS National Championship and were a 9/2 choice to win the Big Ten Conference championship. Michigan State opened with an over under win total of 9.5.
Connor to Cook up Wins
Junior QB Connor Cook returns with 6 other starters on an offense that showed dramatic improvement last year as it averaged 29 points per game, up from 20 points per game in 2012. Michigan State has 5 starters back on defense but should still have one of the nation’s better units based on their depth and recruiting.
Handicapper’s Notes
Michigan State has covered just 5 out of their last 16 home games against the spread with 12 out of their last 16 home games going under the total. The Spartans have been a phenomenal road value on the betting board with just 4 losses against the spread in their last 20 away games as 6 out of their last 9 away games have gone under the total. Michigan State has paid out in 6 out of their last 8 games as a favorite with just 5 out of their last 20 games as a chalk going over the total. The Spartans have lost just 6 out of their last 20 games as a dog with 5 out of their last 9 games as a dog going over the total.
Our Prognosis
Head coach Mark Dantonio enters his 8th season with Michigan State as a man that has radically transformed the program from one that continually fell short and whined with excuses to a team that is as tough as nails and makes no excuses. The Spartans are a brutally physical team that punishes opponents with an old school mentality. Dantonio has built a culture that will make this team a dangerous threat to repeat as Big Ten champs!
