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The Michigan State Spartans have enjoyed the comforts of home their last two games, but now they must head out on the road. MSU and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will face off in a Big Ten battle at noon ET on Saturday at SHI Stadium. The Spartans will be strutting in after a victory while RU will be stumbling in from a defeat.
MSU had enough points to win and then some against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers last week, taking their contest 48-31. The team ran away with 42 points in the first half and mostly just sat on those in the second to pick up the win. MSU's RB Kenneth Walker III looked sharp as he rushed for three TDs and 127 yards on 24 carries.
Meanwhile, the afternoon started off rough for RU last week, and it ended that way, too. They were pulverized by the Ohio State Buckeyes 52-13. The Scarlet Knights were in a tough position by the half, with the score already sitting at 45-6. WR Aron Cruickshank put forth a good effort for the losing side as he caught three passes for one TD and 102 yards. One of the most thrilling moments was Cruickshank's 75-yard TD reception in the first quarter.
The Spartans are the favorite in this one, with an expected 5.5-point margin of victory. Those who got lucky with them against the spread last week might want to hold off on placing bets this time since the squad has yet to string together back-to-back wins against the spread.
MSU is now a perfect 5-0 while the Scarlet Knights sit at 3-2. A pair of defensive stats to keep an eye on: MSU is stumbling into the game with the 227th most passing yards allowed per game in the nation, having given up 309.6 on average. RU has experienced some struggles of their own as they are 156th worst in the nation in touchdowns allowed, with 12 on the season. It's possible one of these Achilles' heels will wind up tripping the losing team up.
