Michigan State-Boston College: Champs Sports Bowl Betting Preview

Michigan State and Boston College clash in the Champs Sports Bowl on Friday to open the meat and potatoes of the bowl season.

The Eagles range from a 4-4.5 point favorite, with a total of 56-56.5. The Spartans are 7-5 straight up and against the spread.

2007 was quite the roller coaster ride for MSU, who won their first four games, then lost 5-of-6 before closing out the year with consecutive impressive wins and covers at Purdue and at home against Penn State.

From our hand-picked previews from around the Internet at Sportsline360.com, we note that motivation could be a problem for BC.

An 8-0 start had Boston College thinking national championship, but they finished 2-3 straight up in their last five. Will it be a consolation bowl for the Eagles?  

MSU will be without star defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic because of academic issues.

“This is a key (loss) because it hurts their pass rush against Matt Ryan,” notes Cy McCormick of MasterLockLine.com

From our bowl previews: These two teams are closely matched on both sides of the ball. BC gets 3.3 more first downs per game, but they're dead even in yards per play. Michigan State gets 93.5 more rushing yards per game, but Boston College accrues 103.8 more passing yards.

It’s a net edge of 10.3 for the Eagles.

However, the Spartans get .9 more rushing yards per attempt and .8 more passing yards per reception.

Boston College allows 19.9 fewer total yards per game on .7 fewer yards per play and 66 fewer rushing yards per game. But MSU allows 46.1 fewer passing yards per game.

BC has the upper hand in rushing yards per attempt allowed at 1.6, passing yards per attempt at .6, and passing yards per reception at .9.

Even the turnover ratio is close, with Mich State having a net edge of two.

Joe Duffy is CEO of OffshoreInsiders.com, where sports bettors can get the top side and over/under picks throughout the bowls.