FAU at Michigan State odds, picks and predictions

The FAU Owls and Michigan State Spartans open their 2024 NCAA football seasons at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the FAU vs. Michigan State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

The Owls begin the 2nd season under coach Tom Herman, and they look to improve upon a 4-win campaign in 2023. FAU lost all-everything WR LaJohntay Wester to Colorado via the transfer portal, but it added an assortment of skill positions to fill the void. RB CJ Campbell Jr. comes in from Florida State to handle the backfield chores.

Former Marshall QB Cam Fancher was named as the starting signal-caller for the Owls, who need to step up after managing just 23.8 points per game last season. The FAU defense was above average, and one of the reasons FAU had 4 losses by one score. It wasn’t far off from contending.

For the Spartans, it’s a season of transition. Jonathan Smith takes over as coach, and he has QB Aidan Chiles following him from Oregon State. While the offense is in good hands, Michigan State lost 3 key defenders, DTs Simeon Barrow to Miami, Derrick Harmon to Oregon and S Jaden Mangham to Michigan, after spring practice to deal Sparty a huge blow.

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FAU at Michigan State odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): FAU +450 (bet $100 to win $450) | Michigan State -650 (bet $650 to win $100)
• Against the spread (ATS): FAU +14 (-110) | Michigan State -14 (-110)
• Over/Under (O/U): 45.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

FAU at Michigan State picks and predictions

Prediction

Michigan State 26, FAU 13

Michigan State (-650) will set you back 6½ times your potential return, and that’s way too expensive for not enough reward.

The Spartans have so many questions, especially on the defensive side of the football. While FAU (+450) is rarely competitive in these Power 4 matchups, it has a lot of experience returning.

AVOID.

Take FAU +14 (-110) with the points, and even better if you’re able to find 14 and a hook at some point before kickoff.

The Owls have been outscored 91-17 in 3 previous meetings against the Spartans, but 2 of the losses were by 17 or fewer points. The closest pass was a neutral-site battle in Detroit when Michigan State won 30-17 Sept. 11, 2010.

Michigan State has a new regime, plenty of new faces and a change of scheme. It might take time to jell and get its sea legs.

The UNDER 45.5 (-115) might be the best play on the board.

Fancher, the Huber Heights, Ohio native, completed 65.6% of his passes for 2,162 yards, 11 TDs and 11 INTs in 2023 with Marshall while running for 273 yards and 4 TDs. While those numbers were nice, it might take time to get on track in his new landing spot with the Owls.

And, we covered how Michigan State is beginning a new era with Smith at the helm. While Sparty has some issues on D, the Owls have a decent defense. We should see the defense rule early in this game before the offenses start to settle in.

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