Michigan State vs Florida Atlantic Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines

There might not be two more interesting 4-8 teams in college football - at least outside of the greater Boulder metropolitan area - than Michigan State and Florida Atlantic.

Jonathan Smith comes over from Oregon State to boost up the Spartans right away - he brought in enough talent to do it - and Tom Herman is a terrific head coach who might just make the Owls a factor in the AAC this season.

This game might fly a bit under the national radar, but it should be entertaining.

Michigan State vs Florida Atlantic Preview

Michigan State vs Florida Atlantic How to Watch
Date: Friday, August 30, 2024
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
Venue: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
How to Watch: Big Ten Network
2023 Records: Michigan State (4-8), Florida Atlantic (4-8)
- Week 1 Schedule, Predictions

Why Florida Atlantic Will Win

There are plenty of new parts, and the offense has to find something that consistently works, but there’s hope for a big boost up right away.

The ground game will be fine, Marshall transfer Cam Fancher upgrades the quarterback situation, and the receiving corps will be a plus early on.

The D will be ahead of the O with a good enough pass rush to be a bother throughout. Michigan State is deeper and has more talent, but it still could use a game or three to jell.

Why Michigan State Will Win

The Spartans will be so much better this season defensively.

The transfer portal loaded things up for the front seven to go along with an already decent secondary. Florida Atlantic is almost totally starting over on the offensive front, and that should show early on as the rotation of Spartan defensive linemen should take over early on.

The offense will be far, far better, too, especially for the ground game. Oregon State transfer QB Aidan Chiles should take off enough to be dangerous, but the rotation at running back should wear down the Owl front.

Michigan State vs Florida Atlantic: Who Will Win

Florida Atlantic really will be better this season, but it’ll take a little time - and it won’t get it. The start of the season is a bit of a bear, and this isn’t the game or the setting to tune up.

There won’t be anything funky about what Michigan State does. Pound, pound more, rely on defensive stops on third downs, and keep running.

Get Chiles comfortable, keep the mistakes to a minimum, and don’t worry about style points.

Michigan State vs Florida Atlantic Prediction, Betting Lines

Michigan State 34, Florida Atlantic 17
Line: Michigan State -13.5, o/u: 47.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3.5
Michigan State vs Florida Atlantic Must See Rating: 2.5