Central Michigan vs Michigan State Prediction - College Football Picks 9/1/23

Michigan State Spartans (0-0) vs Central Michigan Chippewas (0-0)

Game Info: Friday, September 1, 2023 at 7:00 pm (Spartan Stadium)

Betting Odds: Michigan State Spartans -14.5 -- Over/Under: 45.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

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The Central Michigan Chippewas and Michigan State Spartans face off on Friday in a Week 1 College Football showdown at Spartan Stadium.

Central Michigan Looks to Bounce Back

The Chippewas 2022 season wasn’t good finishing with a 4-8 record but the hope is that this years team is going to be better. One of the reason for the struggles last year for Central Michigan was the tough schedule, and there is optimism for what this years team can do. One big question for this team is how will the quarterback position play. It’s unclear who’s going to start in this game, but I would expect Jase Bauer and Bert Emanuel Jr will both play in this game. Emanuel Jr looks like he could be a star, especially with his legs. On defense linebacker Kyle Moretti is back and he’s going to need to have a big game. The defensive line should also be a strength here, and they are going to need to cause problems in this game.

Central Michigan Betting Trends

Central Michigan has lost each of its last eight September road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Central Michigan has covered the spread in seven of its last eight season openers.
Central Michigan has lost the first half in six of its last seven games against opponents from the Big Ten Conference.
Nine of Central Michigan's last 11 road openers have gone OVER the total points line.

Pressure is on Mel Tucker

Mel Tucker is still in the midst of his 10 year contract, but there is a lot of pressure on him to get this Michigan State team back to the top of the Big Ten. Last season the offense for Michigan was awful, and they didn’t get enough blame for how many struggles they had with moving the ball. Tucker hasn’t wanted to say who is going to be the starting quarterback here but it’s going to be either Noah Kim or freshman Katin Houser. Tre Mosley is back out wide, and he’s expected to have a strong season. One big issue for the offense is the running game wasn’t strong enough last season. Last year the secondary for the Spartans wasn’t good enough, especially considering how much talent they had on that side of the ball.

Michigan State Betting Trends

Michigan State has won each of its last four games against non-conference opponents at Spartan Stadium.
Michigan State has covered the spread in five of its last six games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
Michigan State has won the first quarter in six of its last seven games against non-conference opponents at Spartan Stadium.
Michigan State has won the first half in each of its last nine home games against opponents from the Mid-American Conference.
Each of Michigan State's last four September home games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Central Michigan and Michigan State Fact

Central Michigan ranked T38th among FBS teams for H2 points allowed per game last season (11.3).

Shane’s Free Pick

Michigan State still hasn’t picked a quarterback yet, and I think that’s because the coaching staff isn’t sold that either guy can take them to the promised land. This Central Michigan team is going to find success on the ground, and I expect their offense is going to surprise some people here. It’s going to be bad quarterback play from the Michigan State side. The Spartans are still going to find a way to win this game, but it’s not going to be by more than seven points. Back Central Michigan against the spread.