Western Michigan vs Michigan State Prediction, Odds & Betting Trends on College Football Game at FanDuel Sportsbook

Western Michigan vs Michigan State Week 1 Game Info

2022 NCAA College Football Game
Western Michigan Broncos (0-0) vs. Michigan State Spartans (0-0)
Date: Friday, September 2, 2022
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Spartan Stadium — East Lansing, MI
Coverage: ESPN

Week 1 of the 2022 NCAA college football season features an intrastate battle in Michigan between Western Michigan and Michigan State. Michigan State is coming off an outstanding 2021 season where the Spartans went 11-2 and finished ninth in the final AP rankings.

Western Michigan was less successful last year but still put together a solid 8-5 campaign. The Broncos will have their hands full in this tough road matchup against a Big 10 school to start the season, however, where they'll be massive underdogs.

Western Michigan vs Michigan State Odds & Spread

All NCAAF betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Moneyline: WMU: (+1100) | MSU: (-2300)
Spread: WMU: +23.5 (-114) | MSU: -23.5 (-106)
Total: 54.5 — Over: (-106) | Under: (-114)

As expected, Michigan State is heavily favored at home against a Mid-American Conference team. The total of 54.5 is similar to other games on the Week 1 slate.

Western Michigan vs Michigan State Prediction & Pick

Michigan State is the much stronger football program and plays in a superior conference, hence their No. 15 AP ranking. The Spartans also have home-field advantage, so Mel Tucker's squad should run away with this one.

Western Michigan will be playing for pride against a state rival, but the Broncos' roster is clearly overmatched here. Their defense will have be hard-pressed to stop Payton Thorne, who's back under center for Michigan State after passing for 3,232 yards and a 27:10 TD/INT ratio last year.

Final Score Prediction: Western Michigan: 21 | Michigan State: 38

Western Michigan vs Michigan State Betting Trends

- Michigan State was 9-4 against the spread (ATS) last season.
- The total hit the over in seven of Michigan State's 13 games last year.
- Western Michigan was 6-6-1 against the spread in 2021.
- The total hit the over in seven of Western Michigan's 13 games last year.

Western Michigan vs Michigan State Best Bet

All NCAAF betting lines, odds and prop bets are available on FanDuel Sportsbook.

The spread is dangerously large here, which makes it too easy for Western Michigan to cover. There's also far too much juice on the moneyline, eliminating any value there.

That leaves the total, which should go over. Both teams averaged north of 30 points per game last year and neither was great defensively, setting up a potential shootout. The Spartans should jump out to an early lead, forcing the Broncos to play catch-up through the air and leading to points during garbage time.

Bet: Over 54.5 Total Points (-106)