Notre Dame Michigan State Odds

Written by Jimmy Boyd on September 18, 2008

Notre Dame got past one of the Michigan schools last week, the one that is usually tougher to beat, but it will likely need an even stronger performance to upset the Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing this Saturday. Bookmaker sportsbook has listed the Spartans as 9-point favorites with the total set at 48.

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Michigan State has to feel pretty good about this week’s matchup with the Fighting Irish when you consider how dominant the Spartans have been against them of late. Michigan State has won eight of the last 11 in this series, but the Irish will quickly tell you that they have won the last three in East Lansing.

The Spartans certainly don’t want to see a repeat of the last time Notre Dame visited. They held a 37-21 advantage entering the fourth quarter and watched it quickly evaporate as Notre Dame fought back to win 40-37.

The Michigan State offense has focused on a strong running attack led by tailback Javon Ringer. Ringer is quickly establishing himself as, perhaps, the best back in the Big Ten, particularly with Beanie Wells’ injury at Ohio State. Ringer already has 498 yards and nine touchdowns. Durability has been a concern for Ringer however and another injury seems inevitable at some point with the amount of carries he’s getting. At this point, Ringer is on pace to finish the regular season with a staggering 416 carries. That’s an awful lot of work for a back with a history of injuries and no bona-fide backup.

The secondary was a concern heading into the season, but it has passed the test thus far. The Spartans defensive backs know they are going to have to be on their game this week as QB Jimmy Clausen and the Notre Dame offense have shown that they are not afraid to take shots down the field.

Safety Otis Wiley is the leader of this unit and is quickly becoming a star. He’s fourth on the team with 15 tackles and also has an interception return for a touchdown. If you like the Spartans to take care of business at home against the Irish and cover the spread in the process, bet Michigan State at -8.5 at JustBet.

Notre Dame has to be happy about its 2-0 start following a terrible 2007 campaign which saw the Irish win only three games all season. Hopefully its two victories have provided them with enough momentum and confidence to win their fourth straight game in East Lansing. Dating back to last season, the Irish have actually won four games in a row.

The Spartans won easily at Notre Dame last season, defeating the Irish 31-14, and that’s what has most thinking that Notre Dame will have its hands full. The Notre Dame defense will especially face the stiff challenge of stopping one of the best running attacks in the Big Ten.

Ringer has already been the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week the past two weeks and will be looking to add another trophy to his mantle here. Michigan State QB Brian Hoyer has only completed 33 of 75 passes this season so we can expect Notre Dame to stack the box and force Hoyer to beat them through the air.

Notre Dame’s offense isn’t nearly as explosive as it was when Brady Quinn was under center, but the offensive line has given QB Jimmy Clausen time to throw and the result has been good. The Irish have yet to allow a sack in two games, which is huge after giving up a NCAA-record 58 a season ago.

Clausen will be trying to test the Michigan State secondary by looking for wide receivers Golden Tate and Michael Floyd down the field again this week. I expect these two youngsters to start seeing more and more snaps as their talent is undeniable. If you think the Irish can pull off some early season magic and win for the fourth straight time in East Lansing, bet Notre Dame at +9 at BetUS and receive up to a 50% signup bonus.

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