Lionsfan

October 9th, 2011 at 7:32 PM ^

Don't they usually give a 3-point advantage to account for Home-Field? So are they just saying that MSU-UM should be a pick'em game if it was a neutral site?

PIJER

October 9th, 2011 at 8:37 PM ^

As Coach Hoke said about the Northwestern game, this game will be determined by tunovers. If we play turnover free, MSU won't be able to hold us down for long. We on the other hand will be able to do some things to contain them, because of their O-line problems.

Belisarius

October 9th, 2011 at 9:46 PM ^

MSU's interior O-Line is the most glaring weakness on the field. On the other hand, the SPartans have been more consistent across the board than we've been. That makes them more effective, in a sense, but more 2D. Worse, they've been gameplanning around their weak interior and sending everything towards the edges...which, as Northwester has proven, is our weakest area on D.

If we fire on all cylinders, we'll win, because we have th higher ceiling and more talent. If we're intent on making mistakes, though, it won't take to many to defeat ourselves. MSU won't give us a half to get our minds right.

All that said, this is exciting stuff.

rockydude

October 9th, 2011 at 7:44 PM ^

Often it is 2 1/2 points for the homefield, though 3 is not unusual. I'd say that you are correctly calling this game a pick em, in the eyes of that particular book, at least if it were a neutral field. I'll be interested to see what the other lines are going to be on this game . . . . 

expatriate

October 9th, 2011 at 7:35 PM ^

I kinda figured that Michigan would open as the initial favorite because of the hype that follows among the MSM when Michigan is undefeated.  However, the Spartans are the first truly solid defense that Michigan has played to this point... unless you count ND (which let's be honest, Michigan was a tad lucky to get out of that one with a win.

Yea the interior of the MSU line is very shaky but I am still not 100% sold of Michigan's defense either.  Denard still hasn't gotten his interception-monkey off his back, and you know that State will be itching to get him in those same situations that NW was able to and capitalize off of those turnovers.  If I was a betting man MSU +3 sounds about right.

expatriate

October 9th, 2011 at 7:56 PM ^

I said I figured that (as in, I expected that Michigan would be the favorite).  I then added HOWEVER to indicate that while the result is not what I expected it makes sense from a logical standpoint.  I then listed the reasons why that was a logical result.  I finally concluded with a statement that all in all, MSU being favored makes sense.  I may have put a plus instead of a minus at the end, but that was a typo.

Thanks, but I got it.

dave broyles

October 10th, 2011 at 9:03 AM ^

This is a dead even game in my humble opinion. Our Defense has some proving to do yet, They are miles ahead of where I dreamed they would be, but Kuzins could pick them apart if we aren't careful. Running goes to us, Our special teams need to be on top of their game and no stupid penalties this week. Our Coaches will play a huge part in this game.....no drinkig the night before

Rosey09

October 9th, 2011 at 7:36 PM ^

Yeah, the Wynn actually has it a tad closer than that because the sparty bet is +100 (You win 100 if you bet 100) and the Mich bet is -120 (You have to bet 120 to win 100). Standard bets are usually -110 so the sportsbook makes a cut after getting money even on both sides.

AAB

October 9th, 2011 at 7:38 PM ^

I could see it moving a bit in MSU's favor but I'm not sure anyone has a good read on which of these teams is better at this point in the season.  

allintime23

October 9th, 2011 at 7:45 PM ^

I wish I could go back in time and bet on us to win ten games before the season. J figured it would be plus four, I'm sure it will move around a lot before Friday.

One Inch Woody…

October 9th, 2011 at 8:22 PM ^

And Vegas likes to put an enticing line out here like this so that people will bet against MSU... With that in mind, I think Vegas has an actual (fair) line of Michigan +6 or something. Just a speculation.

wildbackdunesman

October 9th, 2011 at 8:25 PM ^

Sagarin has Michigan a 2 point favorite using the Predictor (what Sagarin says you are suppose to use) and giving MSU 3 points for home field advantage (what Sagarin says you are suppose to do).

GRFS11

October 9th, 2011 at 9:19 PM ^

I wonder if the noon start will help or hurt us in the long run.  Seems like we should be used to playing early by now, not sure about MSU.

iCarly fan club

October 9th, 2011 at 9:24 PM ^

Everyone is so sold on Sparty's defense and I just don't see it.  Is this hype based on shutting down Braxton Miller or getting torched by Notre Dame?   I remember watching them play ND and they never laid a finger on Reese.  I think Michigan will win and I don't think it will be all that close.