Florida Atlantic Owls (0-0) vs. Michigan State Spartans (0-0)
August 30, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Michigan State Spartans -13.5 / Florida Atlantic Owls +13.5; Over/Under: +48.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The FAU Owls and Michigan State Spartans meet Friday in week 1 college football action at Spartan Stadium. Here’s a Michigan State vs FAU Prediction. This article will include a Michigan State vs FAU Pick.
FAU Owls Betting Preview
The FAU Owls have won no more than 5 games in each of the last 4 seasons and enter year 2 under coach Tom Herman. FAU brings back Tyriq Starks at quarterback, but the Owls also landed Marshall transfer Cam Fancher, who has over 3,700 passing yards and 21 touchdowns. Florida Atlantic lost a ton of production at the skill positions, but having two capable quarterbacks is a good starting point.
Defensively, Jackson Ambush returns after leading FAU with 89 tackles, Marlon Bradley had 3 sacks and Daedae Hill had 2 interceptions. FAU landed Kyler Laing from Buffalo, Prince James Boyd Jr. from Purdue and Phillip Dunnam from Indiana. There’s not a lot of proven talent on this FAU roster, and that’s why it’s expected to be another middle-of-the-road season in the AAC.
Michigan State Spartans Betting Preview
The Michigan State Spartans have won a combined 9 games in the last 2 years and now begin the Jonathan Smith era. Smith won 34 games in 6 years at Oregon State and brings along a new coaching staff. Quarterback Aidan Chiles joins Smith from Oregon State after playing in 9 games last year as a freshman. The Spartans’ offensive line will also be better, with all-Pac-12 secretion Tanner Miller coming over from the Beavers and Andrew Dennis from Illinois. Michigan State doesn’t have much-proven production at the skill positions, but Montorie Foster is back for a fifth season and is fresh off 43 catches.
Defensively, Cal Haladay returns after leading Michigan State with 91 tackles, Jordan Hall had 4.5 sacks and Angelo Grose had 2 interceptions. There are a lot of question marks for Michigan State and new coaching staff, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see another year of 5 or 6 wins. Michigan State will meet Maryland after this game.
Why the Michigan State Spartans will win
- Florida Atlantic has lost 20 of its last 21 road games against non-conference opponents.
- Michigan State has won six of its last seven games against non-conference opponents at Spartan Stadium.
- Florida Atlantic has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games.
- Michigan State has covered the spread in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents at Spartan Stadium.
- Florida Atlantic has lost the first half in six of its last seven road games against non-conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Four of Michigan State’s last five games against non-conference opponents at Spartan Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of Florida Atlantic’s last three games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Michigan State was one of only 22 FBS teams to lose 2+ games when leading after Q3 last season.
- Michigan State ranked T22nd among FBS teams for Q3 points allowed per game last season (4.0).
- Florida Atlantic ranked 10th among FBS teams for Q4 points allowed per game last season (4.1).
- Florida Atlantic ranked T23rd among FBS teams for Q4 win percentage last season (.583).
Michigan State vs FAU Prediction
The Michigan State Spartans have a lot of questions, and it could be a struggle to reach a bowl game this season, but this is a game where the talent gap should simply be the deciding factor. FAU just doesn’t have the proven players to think it can go on the road and compete against the big boys, and it’s not like it’s landing high level players recruiting wise. Think what you want about Michigan State, but there’s enough above average talent on this roster to be able to punish a non-big conference program. Michigan State is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games as a double-digit favorite. I’m taking Sparty in a comfortable week 1 victory.
