College Football

College football odds Week 1: How to bet Western Michigan-Michigan State

Updated Sep. 1, 2022 5:20 p.m. ET

Western Michigan travels 80 miles this week to face a talented Michigan State squad in the first full weekend of the college football season.

The Broncos were 8-5 in 2021 and finished strong, winning three of the last four, including their bowl game. They also defeated a Power 5 school in Pittsburgh and would love nothing more than to repeat the feat in the season opener against their in-state rival.

Meanwhile, Michigan State has legitimate playoff aspirations this year. After a strong season in which they defeated Michigan and were in the CFP conversation late into the year, the Spartans are hungry to prove that third place in the Big Ten is not good enough.

Here's everything you need from a betting perspective on the game between the Broncos and Spartans from the point spread, moneyline, total over/under and expert pick (odds via FOX Bet)

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Western Michigan @ No. 15 Michigan State (7 p.m. ET Friday, ESPN)

Point spread: Michigan State -20.5 (MSU favored to win by more than 20.5 points, otherwise WMU covers)
Moneyline: Michigan State -1667 favorite to win (bet $10 to win $10.60 total); Western Michigan +900 underdog to win (bet $10 to win $100 total)
Total scoring over/under: 54 points scored by both teams combined

Michigan State went 9-4 ATS and 11-2 SU last season and hit the over in seven of 13 games. They are 5-3 against the spread (ATS) and 8-0 straight up (SU) against Western Michigan since 1997.

Western Michigan went 6-6-1 ATS and 8-5 SU last season and hit the over in seven of 13 games.

WMU head coach Tim Lester is 2-5 ATS and 1-6 SU as a double-digit underdog since 2017, with the aforementioned Pitt win last season as 14.5 underdogs being the sole SU double-digit victory.

Mel Tucker is 2-2 ATS and 3-1 SU when a double-digit favorite as Michigan State head coach.

Pick via FOX Sports Betting Analyst Geoff Schwartz:

"Michigan State returns their quarterback and two of their top three receiving targets,"he said. "They add in transfer running back Jarek Broussard from Colorado and I’d expect the Spartan’s offense to look like last season. Their pass defense was awful last season, but that will not matter against Western Michigan.

"WMU is starting a new quarterback and three new offensive linemen, plus has struggled mightily against the Big Ten in the past," he continued. "They are 8-17-1 against the spread in their last 25 Big Ten games, including five straight games of not covering."

"I’ll take the Spartans for the game."

PICK: Michigan State (-20.5 at FOX Bet) win by more than 20.5 points

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