Jonathan Smith has somehow lived to see another week, and it feels like the second-year head coach is on borrowed time in East Lansing as the Michigan State vs. Minnesota game approaches.
The Spartans have lost five straight games while Minnesota won two in a row before getting lambasted by Iowa, 41-3, on the road. It wasn't pretty, and it looks like the Gophers aren't as good as some may have thought after a 5-2 start with only losses at Cal and at Ohio State.
Now, Minnesota will get an opportunity to bounce back against Michigan State on Saturday afternoon at home. The game will be a 3:30 p.m. ET kick, and Minnesota is obviously favored.
I say obviously before really diving into the betting odds, but my early assumption was that the Gophers would be at least touchdown favorites on Saturday.
I was wrong.
According to Vegas, the Spartans are actually a near toss-up against the Gophers in Minneapolis. After losing five straight games and having their head coach on the hot seat, that just doesn't make a ton of sense.
Note: Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of Oct. 28.
Line: Minnesota -3
Over/Under: 44.5
Moneyline: Minnesota -155 | Michigan State +130
I would've expected a much more lopsided spread especially since Michigan State may have new questions at quarterback and the Spartans haven't won a game since the first three weeks of the season and it's about to be November.
However, Vegas sees something that we don't, and maybe that's worth sprinkling a few dollars on.
Still, I'm not putting my faith back in Michigan State until the team can show that it's done losing games by double digits.