Week 1: Michigan State vs Western Michigan 9/2/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Michigan State Spartans and Western Michigan Broncos clash Friday night in week 1 college football action from Spartan Stadium. Western Michigan had an up-and-down campaign last year, going 8-5 overall and taking a victory in the Quick Lane Bowl. As for Michigan State, they posted an 11-2 overall campaign with a victory in the Peach Bowl. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Western Michigan had something of a weird season in 2021. The Broncos posted a decent 8-5 overall record, but struggled in MAC play with a 4-4 mark. That result left Western Michigan way down in the basement of the West Division, despite having a better overall record than three other teams. 

The Broncos came out of the gate with a solid 4-1 record last year (losing to Michigan). After that however, Western Michigan didn’t win consecutive games again until the end of the season. In the Quick Lane Bowl, the Broncos managed a 52-24 win over Nevada to finish on a high note. 

Over on the Michigan State side, they were able to hold their own pretty well in a very tough Big 10 last season. The Spartans went 11-2 overall and 7-2 in conference play. That left Michigan State in third place in the East Division behind fellow powerhouses Michigan and Ohio State. 

Michigan State’s season started out great with an 8-0 run. The Spartans would lose two of their next three games however, falling to Purdue 40-29 and Ohio State 56-7. Michigan State finished off well with victories over Penn State 30-27 and Pittsburgh 31-21 in the Peach Bowl. 

The Broncos are 4-0 ATS in their last four non-conference games and 4-1 ATS in their last five in September. WMU is 0-4 ATS in their last four versus the Big Ten. 

Meanwhile, the Spartans are 2-0-2 ATS in the last four in September and 5-0-2 ATS in the last seven at home. Michigan State is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 Friday games. 

PICK: I’m probably staying with Michigan State. Spartans detractors will say the team had a bad defense and a relatively easy schedule until late last season, but the 11-2 record speaks for itself. This year’s campaign looks a little tougher on paper, but Michigan State has the goods for another big run. With Kenneth Walker gone, the Spartans will rely on Jarek Broussard to move the ball on the ground. If the offensive line holds up, he and QB Payton Thorne should have plenty of room to move around. WR Jayden Reed should have a big year as well. If the defense can get itself into “average” territory, the Spartans should make some noise on the national stage yet again in 2022.