Florida Atlantic Owls vs
Michigan St. SpartansPredictions & Preview

Michigan State Spartans Favored to Beat Florida Atlantic Owls in NCAAF Season Opener at Spartan Stadium

In week one of the NCAAF season, the Florida Atlantic Owls will face the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. FAU finished last season with a 4-8 record while MSU ended with the same record placing sixth in the Big Ten East. The Spartans have won all three previous meetings against the Owls. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. EST with Michigan State as the betting favorite at -14. For expert NCAAF picks, consider trying our services.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Owls +429 | Spartans -586
• Spread: Owls +14 (-110) | Spartans -14 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 45 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Michigan St. will win straight-up is 85%.

Florida Atlantic vs Michigan St. Stats

Florida Atlantic Owls

In his second season as head coach of Florida Atlantic, Tom Herman is looking to improve upon last season's performance. Despite starting the season with a win against Monmouth, FAU struggled with three straight losses before finishing with a 4-4 record. The team faced tough losses in the final four games of the season, with two being close contests and two being more significant defeats. The addition of quarterback Cam Fancher and running back CJ Campbell Jr. from Marshall and FSU, respectively, along with transfers Prince Boyd and Kahzir Brown to the defense, should bolster the team. FAU's defense, which ranked 95th in opponent passing yards allowed per game last season, will benefit from Brown's presence in the secondary. With a power ranking of 85, FAU currently ranks 88th in offense, 57th in defense, and holds a record of 0-0 (0-0 ATS) this season.

Michigan St. Spartans Analysis

Michigan State had a challenging season last year, finishing with a record of 4-8, marking their second consecutive losing season. However, there is optimism among fans with the hiring of new head coach Jonathan Smith, who comes from Oregon State with a successful track record of three straight winning seasons and bowl game appearances. Smith has also brought along three transfers from Oregon State to bolster the Spartans' offense.

Quarterback Aidan Chiles, tight end Jack Velling, and offensive lineman Tanner Miller are the three transfers from Oregon State. Chiles had an impressive completion percentage of 68.6% with 309 yards and four touchdowns last season, while Velling recorded 29 receptions, 438 total yards, and eight touchdowns. Miller will strengthen the offensive line, which ranked 75th in sacks allowed per game last season.

With a new quarterback and transfers in place, Michigan State aims to improve its passing game, which ranked 98th last season with an average of 190.5 passing yards per game. Despite their current power ranking of 124 and ranking of 129th for offense, the Spartans have shown promise with incoming talent and coaching changes. In their upcoming matchup against Florida Atlantic, they will look to improve their performance and bounce back from a challenging season.

Michigan State Favored to Cover Spread Against Florida Atlantic in Season Opener

Florida Atlantic has struggled in recent history with a road record of 1-20 in their last 21 games against non-conference opponents. On the other hand, Michigan State boasts a strong 6-1 home record in their last seven games against non-conference opponents. Despite FAU's offensive improvements, they may face a tough challenge against Michigan State, a team in the Big Ten Conference known for their strength under a new coach and improved offense. It is likely that Johnathan Smith will aim to make a statement in the opening game of the season, and covering the spread at home will be crucial in delivering this message. With all factors considered, I predict that the Michigan State Spartans will cover the spread at -14.

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