The Terrapins (+2) are ready to welcome the Michigan State Spartans (-2) to Maryland. This crucial Big 10 showdown starts at 12:00 p.m. ET and ESPN2 is scheduled to have the TV rights.
Michigan State Spartans vs. Maryland Terrapins Betting Preview
In this Saturday Big Ten matchup, Michigan State is projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 2 points. The Spartans are also receiving -130 moneyline odds while the Terrapins are +110. If one program can find paydirt early it would create a decent in-game betting opportunity. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 44.5 points.
Odds have swayed a little from where they originally opened. The opening line was 3 and the game’s O/U was initially set at 44.
The Spartans are down 0.9 units so far in 2018 and 3-5 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U record of 4-4. The Terrapins have lost 5.5 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 5-3 ATS and also own an even O/U record of 4-4.
The Spartans have gone 5-3 straight up (SU), including 3-2 SU against conference opponents. The Terrapins are 5-3 SU overall and 3-2 SU in conference play.
When these two teams faced each other a year ago, Michigan State emerged victorious by a final score of 17-7.
The Spartans enter after a 23-13 win over Purdue last week where Rocky Lombardi completed just 26 passes on 46 attempts for 318 yards and two touchdowns. LJ Scott (52 yards on 15 rush attempts) and the signal-caller Lombardi (22 yards on 11 carries) led the running attack. Brandon Sowards (six receptions, 48 yards) and Cam Chambers (five catches, 53 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Maryland is coming off of a lopsided 63-33 win over Illinois. The team’s defense let the Fighting Illini rush for 232 yards on 35 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Reggie Corbin was a force to be reckoned with, recording 155 rushing yards and a score on 18 attempts for Illinois. For Maryland, Kasim Hill completed 11-of-19 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns. Anthony McFarland (83 rushing yards on 16 attempts) and Ikechukwu Ogwuegbu (60 yards on nine carries) spearheaded the running game as Taivon Jacobs (three receptions, 54 yards) and Jeshaun Jones (three catches, 36 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Michigan State’s run the ball on 48.0 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Maryland has a rush percentage of 67.0 percent. The Spartans have run for 108 yards per game (including 95 per game versus Big Ten opponents) and have 10 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Terps are totaling 246 rush yards per game (250 in conference) and have 19 total rushing TDs.
The Spartans offense has averaged 253 yards in the air overall (248 per game against conference opposition) and has 11 passing scores so far. The Terps have recorded 131 pass yards per contest (120.6 in the Big 10) and have 10 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Michigan State has allowed opponents to run for an average of 77 yards and pass for 276 yards per game. The Maryland D has allowed 186.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 151.8 yards per game on the ground. The Terps are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.33 to opposing QBs, while the Spartans have allowed a 5.20 ANY/A.
Offensively, Lombardi has put up 318 passing yards this year. He’s completed 57 percent of his 46 attempts with two passing scores and has yet to throw an interception. He’s got a 7.45 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.75 over the last two games.
For the home team, Kasim Hill has connected on 66-of-122 passes for 919 yards, nine TDs and two INTs. Hill’s ANY/A sits at 7.27 for the season and 8.72 across his past two games.
RELATED: Week 10 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Pick: Michigan State Spartans vs. Maryland Terrapins
SU Winner – Michigan State, ATS Winner – Michigan State, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Michigan State D has 17 sacks on the year while Maryland has just 11.
Maryland has lost three fumbles in 2018 while the Michigan State offense has lost five.
The Spartans offense has registered two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Terrapins have accounted for six such plays.
The Michigan State defense has allowed three pass plays of 40+ yards, while Maryland has given up six such plays.
The Michigan State offense has created five rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Maryland has created 25 such runs.
The Spartans defense has allowed four rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Terrapins have given up seven such runs.
The Over/Under for Maryland’s previous outing was set at 56.5. The over cashed in the 63-33 victory over Illinois.
In its last three matches, Maryland is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
In its last three matches, Michigan State is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
The Over/Under for Michigan State’s previous game was set at 49. The under cashed in the team’s 23-13 victory over Purdue.
Michigan State has averaged 2.5 yards per rush attempt over its last three games and 2.0 over its last two.
Maryland has averaged 7.1 yards per carry over its last three outings and 7.0 over its last two.
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