The FAU Owls and Michigan State Spartans will open the 2024 NCAA football season on Friday at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we break down BetMGM Sportsbook's line on FAU vs. Michigan State odds, plus our college football expert picks and predictions.
The Owls are in their second season under head coach Tom Herman and are looking to improve on their four-win record in 2023. FAU lost versatile WR LaJontae Wester to Colorado via the transfer portal but has added a variety of skill position players to fill the void, with RB C.J. Campbell Jr. coming over from Florida State to take on the backfield chores.
Former Marshall University quarterback Cam Fancher has been named the Owls' starting point guard, but the team needs to step up after averaging just 23.8 points per game last season. FAU's defense was above average, which is one of the reasons FAU lost four games by one point, even though they were not far from a championship contender.
This season is a transition for the Spartans. Jonathan Smith is the new coach and QB Aidan Chiles is coming to join him from Oregon State. The offensive line is looking good, but Michigan State lost three key defenders after spring practice – DT Simeon Burrow to Miami, Derrick Harmon to Oregon and S Jaden Mangum to Michigan – a big blow to the Spartans.
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FAU vs Michigan State odds
Courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. For the complete list, visit the USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds Hub. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11:59 PM ET.
Money Line (ML): FAU +450 (bet $100 to win $450) | Michigan State -650 (bet $650 to win $100) Against the Spread (ATS): FAU +14 (-110) | Michigan State -14 (-110) Over/Under (O/U): 45.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
FAU vs. Michigan State Predictions and Forecasts
prediction
Michigan State 26, FAU 13
Money Line
Michigan State (-650) will cost 6.5 times its potential return, which is too expensive for not enough in return.
The Spartans have a lot of questions, especially on the defensive side of the football, and FAU (+450) is unlikely to be competitive in these Power 4 matchups, but they do have some experienced players returning.
avoid.
Preventing the spread
Take FAU +14 (-110) on points, and even better if they can find the hook at 14 at some point before kickoff.
The Owls have lost their last three meetings with the Spartans by a score of 91-17, with two of those losses being by 17 points or fewer. The closest victory came on Sept. 11, 2010, at a neutral site in Detroit, when Michigan State won 30-17.
Michigan State has a new setup, a lot of new faces and a change in strategy, so it may take some time for the team to come together and get into shape.
Over/Under
UNDER 45.5 (-115) might be the best bet on the board.
Fancher, a Huber Heights, Ohio native, completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 2,162 yards, 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while rushing for 273 yards and four touchdowns with Marshall in 2023. Those are impressive numbers, but it may take him some time to get on track in his new spot with the Owls.
We also talked about the new era that Michigan State is in under Coach Smith. The Spartans have had defensive issues, but the Owls have a decent defense. The defense should dominate early in this game before the offense starts to settle down.
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