The Michigan State Spartans are 11-6 straight up and 13-3-1 against the spread in their last 17 games as a betting underdog. The Spartans will look to defy the oddsmakers once again with another upset win this Saturday on the road against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Michigan State vs. Notre Dame 2016 odds: Spartans have been amazing as underdogs
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will try to stay hot at home as betting favorites against the always dangerous Michigan State Spartans.
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan State is an 8-point underdog this week at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. In their last 11 games as an underdog of 10 points or less, the Spartans are 10-0-1 ATS with five straight outright upsets.
The Spartans earned a playoff spot last season with a 12-1 SU record and a 5-1-1 ATS record down the stretch. But the team’s season came to a bitter end at the hands of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff in an ugly 38-0 loss as a 10.5-point underdog.
Michigan State lost some key players this offseason including quarterback Connor Cook and wideout Aaron Burbridge, but Mark Dantonio’s stingy defense should keep Michigan State relevant throughout the year.
Since 1997, Michigan State is 6-3 SU and 7-1-1 ATS in nine games against the Fighting Irish per the OddsShark College Football Database. Notre Dame has won each of its last three home games against the Spartans, however with a 1-1-1 ATS record in those contests.
Betting Line / Total: Notre Dame -8 / 50 Points
Trend: Michigan State is 7-1-1 ATS in its last nine games on the road against Notre Dame.
Trend: Notre Dame is 7-0 SU and 6-1 ATS in its last seven games at home.
DeShone Kizer has been sensational for Notre Dame through the team’s first two games, passing for seven touchdowns and just one interception, and rushing for 112 yards and two touchdowns thus far. After losing its first game on the road to the Texas Longhorns, the Fighting Irish bounced back with a 39-10 win and cover over the Nevada Wolfpack at home last week.
With that win, Notre Dame improved to 7-0 SU and 6-1 ATS in its last seven games at Notre Dame Stadium.
Saturday’s total is set at 50 points. The OVER is 7-3 in Michigan State’s last 10 games on the road.
Michigan State didn’t look sharp as a 38-point favorite in a 28-13 home win over Furman, and traveling to Notre Dame while breaking in so many new players will be a tough obstacle to overcome.
But given Mark Dantonio’s success when his team is an underdog and the fact that the Spartans had a week to prepare, this isn’t likely to be an easy game for the Fighting Irish.
Michigan State Spartans at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
When: Sat., Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Ind.
