Michigan State Spartans at Washington Huskies Betting Preview/Prop Pick
16 September 2022
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan State 91.668; Washington 96.758
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 5; 51
Vegas Line & Total: Washington by 2; 54
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-2); Under
Week 3 of the college football season is here, and it’s one of the last weekends of the year where we will still see some terrific non-conference matchups. The Washington Huskies host the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday in a matchup of 2-0 teams.
Michigan State is up to number 11 in the latest poll, and the Spartans look like a team that can contend for the Big Ten title in 2022. The Spartans haven’t been challenged through two home games, but they will have to step up their play on the road at Washington.
Washington has also been dominant against the weaker competition this season, but they don’t have the same expectations as Michigan State. The Huskies will jump into the Top 25 with a win in this game, but they are going to have to play extremely well.
The Washington Huskies are two-point betting favorites over the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday.
Spartans Will Slow it Down
The Michigan State Spartans are scoring 43.5 points per game this season, but don’t be confused by those numbers. Michigan State wants to run the football a ton in this matchup and then let the defense take over.
The Spartans are averaging 228.5 rushing yards per game, and they are holding opponents to just 81.5 yards on the ground per game. Michigan State should have a size advantage in the trenches in this one, and that will give them an edge.
Quarterback Payton Thorne has plenty of big-game experience for the Spartans, but he has struggled a bit this season. Thorne has thrown three interceptions through two games, and that could create some issues in this one.
Washington Explosive on Offense
The Washington Huskies brought in quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the offseason, and he is off to a huge start this season. Penix Jr. has thrown for 682 yards and six touchdowns this season, and he has the Huskies scoring nearly 50 points per game.
Washington comes into this game with 571 yards of total offense per game, and they feature a balanced attack. The Huskies will be trying to hit on some big plays to slow down the tough Michigan State defense.
The defense of Washington will also need to find a way to make some big plays, especially against the run. Washington will try to win this game by scoring points, but they also need the defense to step up.
Huskies Hold On For Win
Even though both the Spartans and Huskies are scoring over 43 points per game, you can expect that this game will be won with defense. Establishing the run will be extremely important for each team, and the battle of the trenches will be fun to watch.
At some point, teams are going to have to start throwing the football, and that is where Washington appears to have an advantage. The Huskies just have more weapons on offense than the Spartans, and that is ultimately going to decide this game.
The spread in this game is extremely tight, but Washington will cover the spread as they come away with a five-point win on Saturday.
Prop Pick
Michigan State (-110) UNDER 26.5 Points
Washington allowed 23.5 points per game last season on defense, which ranked No. 35 in FBS. That average has dropped to 20.0 points per game so far this season. Scores have gone UNDER in 12 of the Huskies’ last 17 September games.
With Dunkel predicting a Washington win by the score of 28-23, take the Spartans (-110) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 26.5 points against the Huskies.
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