Saturday’s Michigan State vs Illinois game may not be at the center of everyone’s viewing schedule, but the Spartans and Illini are both playing to stay alive in the hunt for a postseason berth.
Michigan State is 2-3 on the year after losing three straight games to Notre Dame, Nebraska, and then a real clunker last week against Wisconsin. All three losses have been by double figures and it’s clear that the football program just isn’t where it needs to be, talent-wise. Pat Fitzgerald is the right hire, but he’s going to need to be resourced immediately in the offseason.
Fortunately, new AD Dan Bartholomae vowed to make that happen.
Illinois, on the other hand, is also 2-3 after a 2-1 start to the season which included a disappointing home loss to Duke that really set the tone. Since, the Illini have lost to Ohio State and Purdue while firing their defensive coordinator in the process. The Illini feel a little broken and disjointed right now, but Katin Houser has revenge on the mind, heading back to East Lansing for the first time since 2023.
Saturday’s game is a must-win for both sides if they want to stay in the hunt for a bowl game but someone has to drop to 2-4 and Fitzgerald is going to make sure that it’s not the good guys.
What does Vegas think?
Michigan State vs Illinois final betting odds
As expected after opening as favorites, the Illini remain slight favorites on Saturday morning.
Line: Illinois -2.5
Over/Under: 48.5
Moneyline: Illinois -137 | Michigan State +114
Illinois is a 2.5-point road favorite over the Spartans which is something you don’t see from two evenly-matched bad teams, especially when one just lost at home to arguably the worst team in the conference. Bret Bielema is a good coach and Houser is a talented quarterback so they’re not just going to roll over and lose again — and Vegas knows that.
Michigan State is also not just going to lose four in a row without a fight. Fitzgerald is going to have his guys ready even if he doesn’t have depth to work with. The Spartans will come out firing.
Prediction for Michigan State vs Illinois
I’ve been predicting an “upset” since the Nebraska game, but this one truly feels like a game that Michigan State is going to snap back and get right in.
Michigan State comes out, scores a touchdown on its first drive, and sets the tone for the rest of the game. Nick Sheridan and the offense will control the game and it’ll be one of the better play-calling games we’ll have seen out of an offensive coordinator in years.
The Spartans finish with five scoring drives and that’ll be just enough to hold off the Illini.
Final score: Illinois 21, Michigan State 27
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