The Michigan State University Spartans (4-5, 2-4 Big 10) play host to the Rutgers, The State University of N.J. Scarlet Knights (4-5, 1-5 Big 10) at Spartan Stadium on Saturday. The Spartans are 10-point favorites, and the total is 40.
Rutgers is coming off a one-sided 52-17 loss to No. 4 Michigan at SHI Stadium last Saturday. Gavin Wimsatt threw for 166 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. Kyle Monangai ran four times for 17 yards. Aron Cruickshank caught seven passes for 62 yards.
Michigan State beat No. 14 Illinois 23-15 at Memorial Stadium last Saturday. Payton Thorne was 19 of 29 for 182 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Jalen Berger carried 15 times for 81 yards. Jayden Reed scored once. He caught five receptions for 68 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Spartans won the only game between the teams last season, a 31-13 victory in October. Payton Thorne threw three touchdowns for Michigan State, as Jalen Nailor scored three times.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Scarlet Knights are averaging 19.8 points per game for the season, 114th in FBS, and they are facing a Spartans defense that has surrendered 26.0 PPG (68th). Meanwhile, Michigan State has scored 24.3 points a game this season, 94th in the nation, and Rutgers is allowing 25.8 PPG (66th).
The Scarlet Knights rank as one of the country’s worst teams in passing yards per game (156.0, 122nd), while they are 90th in rushing yards (135.4). The Spartans are 103rd in passing yards allowed per game (259.8) and 93rd against the run (166.9).
Michigan State has been one of the nation’s least productive rushing teams, averaging 99.1 yards per game (121st), while ranking 68th in passing yards (233.0). The Scarlet Knights are allowing 179.3 passing yards (16th) and 127.4 rushing yards per game (43rd).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through six games, Evan Simon has thrown for four touchdowns (6 INT) and 123.3 yards per game to lead Rutgers in passing. In three away games this season, he has one TD (1 INT) and an average of 63.0 yards passing.
Samuel Brown V leads the team in rushing with an average of 53.4 yards a game over seven games. He has three touchdowns on the ground and two through the air. Sean Ryan is the Scarlet Knights’ leading receiver with 40.4 yards a game and three TDs.
Payton Thorne has 14 passing touchdowns (9 INT) with 210.7 yards per game through nine games to lead Michigan State. In five home games this season, he has thrown for seven TDs (6 INT) and an average of 191.0 yards.
Jalen Berger has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 51.7 yards a game through nine games. He has five touchdowns. Keon Coleman has been the primary target in the Spartans’ passing game. He has six touchdowns and a 63.8 yard per game average through nine appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Rutgers +9.5 (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
