WagerTalk college football handicapper Steve Merril<\/a> offers his Michigan State vs Western Kentucky College Football Week 5 betting preview. At the time of posting, the Spartans are an 11-point home favorite over the Hilltoppers with the total sitting at 66 points.<\/p>\n Stay on top of the latest College Football<\/a> updates direct from Las Vegas!<\/em><\/p>\n Michigan State remains underrated this season as my power ratings make the Spartans a -16.5 favorite in this game. They are 4-0 SU and have won three of those four games by at least 17+ points already. Western Kentucky has put up big offensive numbers against three mediocre defensive opponents, and the Hilltoppers will now be taking a substantial step up versus a strong Michigan State defense that allows just 18.0 points per game and 4.9 yards per play this season. Western Kentucky is a much weaker defensive team that allows 30.7 points per game on 5.5 yards per play. Michigan State will have plenty of success moving the ball tonight with a balanced offense that is averaging 35.3 points per game with 216 rushing yards (5.9 ypr) and 238 passing yards (8.8 ypp) with a fantastic 7.1 yards per play (versus opponents that allow just 6.2 ypp overall).<\/p>\n The main reason this point spread is too low is because Western Kentucky has gone 3-0 ATS so far this season. However, the Hilltoppers have not won either game straight-up versus their two FBS opponents this season, with a 38-35 loss at Army, followed by a tough 33-31 loss at home versus Indiana last Saturday. Back-to-back high scoring, close losses often leaves teams fatigued and flat in the following game, and that will likely be the situation tonight on Saturday, especially against a powerful and strong Michigan State lineup.<\/p>\n Western Kentucky struggled when stepping up in class as a big underdog last year, going 0-3 ATS and losing by 14 points at Louisville (+13.5), by 21 points at UAB (+10.5) and losing by 31 points at BYU (+30.5). This was also the case in 2019 when they lost by 17 points versus Louisville on a neutral field (+10). Overall, Western Kentucky is 0-4 SU\/ATS as a double-digit underdog with current head coach Tyson Helton at the helm. Play MICHIGAN STATE (-11)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Great episode today… #CFB<\/a> and #NFL<\/a> betting previews… watch the replay here: https:\/\/t.co\/TMXh4cz3Cc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Steve Merril (@SteveMerril) October 1, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nMSU vs WKU Prediction<\/h3>\n
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