The Michigan State Spartans and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights meet Saturday in college football action from SHI Stadium. Michigan State is 2-3 overall and coming off an open week. The Spartans last appeared in a loss to Iowa. As for Rutgers, they played Wisconsin last weekend. In that one, the Scarlet Knights dropped to 4-2 with an 11-point loss. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Michigan State Spartans 

The Spartans posted victories in their first two games this year, getting off to a pretty nice start. Those wins came versus Central Michigan 31-7 and 45-14 over Richmond. Michigan State has lost their last three games however: 41-7 against Washington, 31-9 in the Maryland matchup and 26-16 versus Iowa. 

In the Iowa game back on September 30, the Spartans were up 16-13 heading into the fourth quarter but ended up getting outscored 13-0 from there. Michigan State QB Noah Kim had just 193 yards and three interceptions, while Nathan Carter rushed 20 times for 108 yards. Leading the receivers was Montorie Foster with 79 yards off eight catches. 

Michigan State Spartans Team Facts

Michigan State has lost seven of its last eight road games.
Michigan State has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight road games.
Michigan State has lost the first half in seven of its last eight road games against conference opponents.
Each of Michigan State’s last eight road games in October have gone UNDER the total points line.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights 

Over on the Rutgers side, they opened up the year on a 4-1 run. The Knights beat Northwestern 24-7, Temple 36-7 and Virginia Tech 35-16 in their first three games, but then took a beating against Michigan in a 31-7 loss. Rutgers was able to bounce back the next week however, taking out an overmatched Wagner team 52-3. 

In the Wisconsin game last weekend, Rutgers took their second loss of the year 24-13 after falling behind 17-0 in the first half. Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt finished with 181 yards, one TD and one interception. Wimsatt also led the rush with 43 yards off nine carries, and Isaiah Washington added 53 yards off three catches. 

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Team Facts

The home team has won each of Rutgers’ last seven games.
The road team has covered the spread in each of the last six games between Michigan State and Rutgers.
Rutgers has lost the first half in five of its last six games against conference opponents.
Each of Rutgers’ last six October games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Michigan State ranked 35th among FBS teams for Q4 points allowed per game last season (5.8).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to stay with Rutgers. With the Scarlet Knights coming off a rough showing however, you could probably make a case either way. Rutgers posted just 275 total yards (211 passing), 16 first downs and a rough 2-of-12 rate on third-down conversions in their last outing versus Wisconsin. That makes 13 or fewer points scored in two of the last three games, but to be fair the Knights have had a couple of tricky matchups in that time. 

As for Michigan State, they’ve shown a few flashes of greatness this year but can’t seem to run with the more talented teams. Defensively the team did a good job against Iowa (222 yards allowed, 15 first downs allowed, 2-of-13 on third-down conversions allowed). That said, the four turnovers on offense and the 10 penalties for 94 yards really shot the team in the foot. Michigan State has had plenty of time to prepare for this one so I think they’ll look better but I don’t think they’ll cover.