Michigan State Spartans Future Odds
Losing Starting Quarterback & Top Receiver Two Big Blows for Michigan State
Michigan State Spartans Trying to Avoid Rare Back-to-Back Losing Seasons
Michigan State is coming off a season when it ranked ninth in the Big Ten in total offense and 13th in total defense. With those numbers, it is hardly a surprise that the Spartans won just three conference games in 2022. Keep that in mind when looking at the Michigan State Spartans future odds.
Michigan State actually showed some improvement on defense, allowing 25 fewer yards per game in 2022 than in 2021. Still, there is plenty of work yet to be done.
Michigan State was picked to finish fifth in the Big Ten East Division behind Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Maryland. Michigan State is priced at +10000 to win the division title and has the same odds to win to Big Ten championship.
The Spartans haven’t been in the Big Ten championship game since topping Iowa 16-13 in the 2015 game.
When looking at the NCAA football standings, Michigan State finished 5-7 overall and 3-6 in conference play. The Spartans won just one true road game in 2022.
Michigan State covered against the college football picks in just two of its last 10 games in 2022 with seven games finishing under the total. The Spartans are listed as 14.5-point favorites against Central Michigan in the 2023 season opener.
Spartans Look to Rebound
It was quite the fall for Michigan State as the Spartans went 11-2 during the 2021 NCAAF season and that included a win over rival Michigan. A 34-7 loss to Minnesota in the 2022 conference opener was a sign of things to come. Now the quest is to avoid posting back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since going 5-7, 5-6 and 4-8 from 2004-06.
Michigan State was eighth in the Big Ten in the rankings of the top incoming transfer classes and keep that in mind when it comes to the Michigan State Spartans future odds.
Texas A&M defensive lineman Tunmise Adeleye, Nebraska receiver Alante Brown, Norfolk State tight end Ademola Faleye, UConn running back Nathan Carter, Colorado defensive lineman Jalen Sami, Wisconsin cornerback Semar Melvin and South Florida running back Jaren Mangham are among the incoming transfers who could continue immediately.
Receiver Keon Coleman (Florida State), receiver Germie Bernard (Washington), quarterback Payton Thorne (Auburn), running back Elijah Collins (Oklahoma State), edge rushers Jeff Pietrowski (Wisconsin) and Michael Fletcher (Appalachian State) and defensive linemen Dashaun Mallory lead the list of outgoing transfers.
Michigan State has the No. 4 rated recruiting class in the Big Ten with junior college edge rusher Bai Jobe and high school defensive lineman Andrew Depaepe are the top-rated recruits.
The biggest name to depart was Thorne as the two-year starter left after spring practice. Noah Kim completed 73.7% of his passes as he in 2022 played mostly in mop-up situations. It will be a different deal in 2023.
Top receiver Coleman is also gone while No. 2 receiver Jayden Reed is off to the NFL. Tight end Maliq Carr is the top returning pass catcher and the Spartans added some help at receiver and tight end via the transfer portal.
The running back looked much different in 2022 without Kenneth Walker around. Jalen Berger rushed for 683 yards and averaged 90.4 yards with all six of his touchdowns coming in the five wins. Transfers Carter and Mangam should help with the running game. It doesn’t hurt that the Spartans bring back a couple of starting interior offensive linemen.
Leading tackler Cal Haladay and Jacoby Windmon (10.5 tackles for loss) are both back. Having Khris Bogle available for the entire season should help the pass rusher as will the arrival of Adeleye. Opponents completed 66.4% of its passes against the Spartans last season with Michigan State coming away with just two interceptions so the secondary needs to show improvement.
National Championship Odds: It’s Not Basketball Season
The best-case scenario might be for Michigan State to be the fourth-best team in the East Division and that does not scream national title contender. Michigan State last finished in the top three in the Big Ten in total defense in 2018 and an improved defense is a must for the Spartans to become relevant in the conference and nationally.
Conference Odds: Plenty of Work to Be Done
Michigan is ranked second, Ohio State fourth and Penn State seventh in the preseason coaches poll so welcome to life in the Big Ten East Division where the NCAA football schedule can be rather daunting. There are plenty of challenges for Michigan State to navigate to become a factor in the East Division race.
The Spartans were outscored 113-43 and outgained 1467-708 in the losses to Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State so there is work to do and that is reflected in the Michigan State Spartans future odds.
Regular Season Wins: Another Losing Season in East Lansing?
With four teams on the Michigan State schedule ranked 11th or higher in the coaches poll, there is some work to do for Michigan State.
The Spartans were 5-7 a season ago and the NCAA football odds are at +130 to go over 5.5 wins in 2023 compared to a -160 number to finish under that total. Winning the first two games against Central Michigan and Richmond will be crucial for Michigan State to have a chance to finish over 5.5 wins.
To Make The Playoffs: Can Spartans Go Bowling?
Michigan State has won three of its last four bowl games and getting back to a bowl game should be the priority. It won’t be easy with a non-conference game against Washington as well as the NCAAF matchups with Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State.
For NCAAF betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
