Picks Against the Spread Week 9: Michigan State Spartans vs Nebraska Cornhuskers

The Michigan State Spartans are taking on the Nebraska Cornhuskers this weekend in what will be one of the top college football games of Week 9. Both teams are highly ranked and the outcome of this game will have huge implications on the Big Ten conference.

Michigan State has won four games in a row, including two straight against ranked opponents in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Nebraska has won two games in a row after receiving a beatdown by the Wisconsin Badgers.

This game should mainly come down to the Michigan State defense against the Nebraska offense. The Cornhuskers' offense is very one-dimensional—they are a running offense that averages 261 yards on the ground. Michigan State's defense is giving up just 88 yards a game in the running department.

Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez is going to have to make some throws in this game if the Cornhuskers expect to win.

Nebraska is one of the worst passing teams in the country, averaging only 171 yards in the air. Martinez' best passing game this season was against Fresno State where he threw for 219 yards and one touchdown.

He is completing only 55 percent of his passes.

Michigan State averages 432 total yards on offense and has a solid passing game led by Kirk Cousins. He has thrown for 1,607 yards and 11 touchdowns. The team averages just under 30 points per contest.

Michigan State is a proven team this year, and has already beaten highly ranked teams in Michigan and Wisconsin. They have also faced a running quarterback in Denard Robinson and held him to just 42 yards on 19 carries.

Nebraska, on the other hand, has played nothing but cupcakes and gotten destroyed by the only competition they've played in Wisconsin.

The Badgers are way too one-dimensional on offense and aren't battle-tested enough to put your money on.

I believe the only reason the Cornhuskers are the favorite in this game is because they are at home. But I'll take the more proven team that is more balanced on offense and has a great defense.

Michigan State is 4-0 in their last four conference games against the spread and are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight games in October.

Take the points and thank me later.

Pick: Michigan State +4