The Michigan State Spartans (2-0) put their unbeaten record on the line against a less than impressive #24 Miami Hurricanes (1-1) team in Week 3. The matchup is a rare regular-season tilt between the Big Ten and the ACC, and both teams have national rankings on the line. The kickoff is scheduled for Noon ET Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and will air on ABC.
This is a rare game between two teams who haven’t met since 1989. Miami is 4-0 all-time against the Spartans, including home wins in 1945, 1959, and 1982.
Spartans Rolling With Big Play Offense
The Spartans started the season with an upset win at Northwestern before throttling FCS Youngstown State in last Saturday’s home opener. So far this season, the Spartans have scored 80 points and allowed just 35, covering both games.
Sophomore quarterback Payton Thorne won the job in the preseason and has looked good in two games. He has five touchdown passes and no turnovers to go with 465 yards passing. Jayden Reed has been his top target, hauling in nine passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns as a big-play weapon.
Running back Kenneth Walker II has 321 yards already on the season, good enough for fourth among all FBS running backs. He leads the Big Ten in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns (5). Walker has amassed 10.7 yards per carry and should challenge a Miami defense that was gashed open by Alabama in the opener.
Miami Struggling to Get Going
The Canes has failed to cover five straight games in the state of Florida, including last week’s home opener against Appalachian State. A big problem for the offense has been the red zone, where they have capitalized on just two touchdowns in eight trips.
Quarterback D’Eriq King has completed nearly 80 percent of his passes this season but has just one touchdown and two interceptions. He has totaled 379 yards in two games as he returns from a torn ACL in last year’s bowl game.
Charleston Rambo has been King’s top target this season with 12 catches for 85 yards, while Keyshawn Smith has eight catches for 110 yards. Mike Harley and tight end Will Mallory have had some big drops so far this season for the Canes.
The Miami run game has been non-existent so far this season, understandable against Alabama, but they also struggled against Appalachian State. Overall they have just 3.5 yards per carry in two games and lost Donald Chaney Jr. for the season with a knee injury. Cam’Ron Harris will get the ball this weekend, and he has 128 yards on 30 carries with one touchdown in two games.
Betting Analysis
Michigan State +6 (-105). +190 money line
Miami -6 (-115). -235 money line
Total -56.5 Over -110, Under -110
Michigan State has passed both tests this season, but they will need to take care of the ball against a good pass rush and opportunistic defense. Miami looks to get some momentum going to stay in the rankings as they can’t afford a second loss. King needs help from the run game, and if he gets it, this game could be a launching pad for the Canes.
FREE PICK: Under 56.5 points (-110)
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