Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Michigan State Spartans Odds: Analysis and Prediction

Two of the best teams to bet on so far in this college football season meet when Nebraska and Michigan State square off Saturday night in East Lansing. The Cornhuskers are 4-1 against the spread whereas the Spartans are 3-1 ATS.

Only one will cover the spread Saturday and one will go down. The question is, who will do what?

Point Spread: The Spartans opened as eight-point favorites at Spartan Stadium.

Odds Shark Computer Prediction: Spartans 38.7, Cornhuskers 27.2

Why the Nebraska Cornhuskers Can Cover the Spread

The Huskers are off to a 5-0 start, winning their last two games over Miami and Illinois, and putting up 86 points in the process.

Nebraska rushed for 343 yards to Miami's 76, allowing it to cover as an eight-point favorite. Then the Huskers rushed for 485 yards to the Illini's 78 on the way to covering a 21-point spread.

Running back Ameer Abdullah has already run for 833 yards and eight touchdowns, while quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. has rushed for 420 yards and thrown 10 touchdown passes.

Last year, the Huskers lost at home to Michigan State 41-28 but actually out-gained and out-rushed the Spartans that day. Five turnovers did them in.

Why the Michigan State Spartans Can Cover the Spread

The Spartans are 3-1 straight up following a 56-14 victory over Wyoming last week, covering a 28-point spread. Michigan State jumped out to a 42-7 lead, eventually out-rushed the Cowboys 338 yards to 98 and held the ball for over 35 minutes.

That's how one covers a large spread.

In their one loss this season, the Spartans led at Oregon 27-18 late into the third quarter before the Ducks broke loose. Michigan State has had great success recently in games expected to be close, going 8-1 ATS in its last nine games as either a favorite of fewer than 10 points or an underdog.

Smart Pick

Since joining the Big Ten three seasons ago, Nebraska has beaten Michigan State in two out of three meetings and gone 2-1 ATS. The Huskers are also 3-1 ATS in their last four games as underdogs.

So the pick here is with Nebraska, plus the points.

Trends

• Nebraska is 5-1 ATS in its last six games.
• Michigan State is 1-5 SU in its last six games when playing Nebraska.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.