NCAA online betting respect continues to grow in leaps and bounds for the 13th ranked Michigan State Spartans as they are proving to be for real in 2010. Michigan State will host Illinois on Saturday with kickoff on the Big Ten Network set for 12:05 PM Eastern. Sbg global.com opened with Michigan State as a 7.5 college football betting favorite.
Statement Maker
Michigan State did not just beat Michigan 34-17 last week as a 5 point road dog but they totally manhandled and humiliated their hated rivals on their hallowed home field at the Big House. It was the third consecutive time that the Spartans have beaten the Wolverines to establish firm domination in the state. Beyond that, Michigan State improved their overall college football betting record to 6-0 straight up and 4-2 against the spread to emerge as one of the leading contenders to upend Ohio State in the Big Ten race.
This year is shaping up as one of the most special in Spartan history as since their epic fake field goal in overtime to defeat Notre Dame and the heart attack suffered by head coach Mark Dantonio that followed Michigan State has played with a purpose and discipline not seen in East Lansing since the 1960’s. The Spartans offense ranks 14th nationally and has great balance. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is averaging almost 10 yards per attempt with 10 touchdown passes and running back Edwin Baker has ran for 683 yards and 7.0 yards per carry average.
Up and Coming
Illinois went into Penn State as a 9 point dog last week and emerged with a convincing and well deserved 33-13 win to improve their NCAA online betting record to 3-2 straight up and 4-1 against the spread. The Illini defense has quietly climbed up the rankings to stand at 20th best in the nation while the ground attack is 19th in the land led by Mikel LeShoure’s 606 yards while athletic first year quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase continues to steadily improve.
The Edge
Illinois is where Michigan State was a year ago. They are a young and improving team but Michigan State has arrived. The only question is if Sparty again folds with success but this year and team seems different.
Numbers
Michigan State has paid out in 7 out of their last 8 matchups with Illinois.