Michigan State opened as a -4 point road favorite this week at Rutgers and the line has moved to -5 with early betting action. The current total is 50. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 noon EST and the game can be seen on the Big 10 Network.
Rutgers comes into this game at 3-2. They started the year 3-0 and then gave Michigan a battle on the road losing by just 7, 20-13. So expectations were high last week when Ohio State came knocking. Unfortunately for Rutgers, they were blown off the field by the Buckeyes.
Michigan State comes in undefeated. They struggled against Nebraska, needing OT to take down the Cornhuskers. Their other wins were comfortable, however the knock on the Spartans until they face first Michigan and then Ohio State is going to be schedule strength.
Head to Head History
10/24/2020 Rutgers 38 +10.0 at Michigan State 27 11/23/2019 Michigan State 27 -21.0 at Rutgers 0 11/24/2018 Rutgers 10 +27.0 at Michigan State 14 11/25/2017 Michigan State 40 -13.5 at Rutgers 7 11/12/2016 Rutgers 0 +14.5 at Michigan State 49 10/10/2015 Michigan State 31 -13.5 at Rutgers 24 11/22/2014 Rutgers 3 +22.0 at Michigan State 45 9/ 4/2004 Michigan State 14 - 9.5 at Rutgers 19 9/ 6/2003 Rutgers 28 +20.0 at Michigan State 44 9/28/1991 Rutgers 14 +13.0 at Michigan State 7 9/29/1990 Michigan State 34 -17.0 ~@ Rutgers 10
Our Pick
As you can see from the past matchups listed above, Michigan State has held the upper hand in this series. But low and behold, in the crazy year that 2020 was, Rutgers beat the Spartans 38-27.
So this week we have a team looking for revenge from a loss last season playing against a team looking to bounce back from a humiliating home loss. That home loss came at a time when most thought Rutgers was going to make some noise this year.
We’d be surprised if Rutgers fell flat two weeks in a row at home. We look for this to be a tight game, likely decided late. Would obviously love to have +6 or better so watch the board.