Minnesota football opens as small favorite over struggling Michigan State
The Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-3, 3-2) will look to bounce back from their third loss of the season in week 10 of the college football season on Saturday when they host the struggling Michigan State Spartans at Huntington Bank Stadium.
The Spartans enter week 10 of the season with a 3-5 record, including a 0-5 record in Big Ten play. In their second year under head coach Jonathan Smith, the Spartans have lost each conference game by double digits this season.
With that in mind, the Golden Gophers are a 4.5-point favorite ahead of this weekend’s matchup against Michigan State, with the total set at 44.5 points.
This past Saturday, the Spartans fell to their rival, Michigan, 31-20, in East Lansing. The Spartans found themselves trailing 24-7 heading into the fourth quarter and looked to mount a comeback effort, but fell short.
The Spartans this season are scoring 27.1 points per game offensively, but their defense is one of the worst in the nation, allowing 37.1 points per game, which ranks 128th out of 136 programs. Michigan State is also allowing 38.0 points per game in Big Ten play while also allowing 5.2 yards per carry in their five conference games.
The two programs have met 49 times all-time, with Michigan State holding a 30-19 advantage. The Golden Gophers, however, have won each of the last two matchups and are 2-1 against the Spartans under head coach P.J. Fleck.
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Stay tuned to Gophers Nation as we bring the latest updates on P.J. Fleck and his Minnesota football program.
