3:40 pm
November 6

#5 Michigan State @ Purdue

Who will WIN this matchup?

#5 Michigan State Spartans (8-0)

@ Purdue Boilermakers (5-3)

 

Current odds:

Michigan State Spartans: (-135)

Purdue Boilermakers: (+115)

 

• The line for this game is Michigan State by 2.5 points.

• Mel Tucker doesn’t anticipate a letdown from his Michigan State team this week. Following an exhilarating comeback victory over archrival Michigan, the surprising Spartans find themselves going on the road to Purdue this Saturday. Second-year coach Tucker fully expects his team to produce the same effort. Michigan State (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) rose to No. 5 in the rankings following their 37-33 win over the Wolverines. The Spartans also debuted at No. 3 in the first CFP rankings of the season Tuesday night.

• What Tucker said he fully understands is that the Boilermakers (5-3, 3-2) are dangerous when underestimated. They upset then-No. 2 Iowa 24-7 on Oct. 16.

• So have the Spartans, none bigger than last weekend’s dramatic second-half rally. They were down 30-142, but stormed back behind Heisman Trophy candidate Kenneth Walker III. The Wake Forest transfer continued his season-long rampage, rushing for all five of the Spartans’ touchdowns while racking up 197 yards. Walker ranks second in FBS with 1,194 rushing yards and has scored 14 touchdowns on the ground.

• The Spartans could be without one of their top receivers. Jalen Nailor was on the sidelines with his right hand heavily wrapped during the second half of last week’s game. Nailor had 221 receiving yards and three touchdowns at Rutgers last month.

• Purdue is coming off a 28-23 road win over Nebraska. The Boilermakers have 10 takeaways in the last three games, and coach Jeff Brohm said getting a lead is crucial to forcing those turnovers.

• Quarterback Aidan O’Connell avoided turnovers against the Cornhuskers, completing 34 of 45 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
#5 Michigan State Spartans
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