Saturday’s Michigan State vs Minnesota game may not have a lot on the line, but both teams are playing for pride — and the Gophers are playing for a bowl berth.
Michigan State has lost five straight games while Minnesota is coming off a blowout loss to Iowa, but both teams could still make the postseason. For Minnesota, that’s more likely than not. For Michigan State, it would have to win three of its final four games.
Jonathan Smith finds himself on the hot seat while PJ Fleck is leading the Gophers to yet another quiet bowl season in Minnesota. It feels like his job security is untouchable as long as he’s bowling.
The Spartans could use a win, and there’s talk that we may see backup quarterback Alessio Milivojevic on an extended basis on Saturday afternoon. Rumors are circulating that the backup quarterback might just get the start over Aidan Chiles after that forgettable Michigan performance a week ago in primetime.
Before we get into any predictions, let’s see what the final betting odds are via DraftKings.
Line: Minnesota -4
Over/Under: 44.5
Moneyline: Minnesota -185 | Michigan State +154
Vegas thinks this one is going to be close, and if these two teams played on a neutral field, it would essentially be a pick ‘em. I think Michigan State comes out motivated, and I can see Milivojevic starts over Chiles or at least gets split snaps. That will breathe some life into the offense, Nick Marsh will go wild, and the Spartans will sneak by the Gophers in shocking fashion.
Prediction: Michigan State 27, Minnesota 24