Two in-state rivals look to bounce back from eight loss seasons as the Central Michigan Chippewas face an early season challenge on the road against the Michigan State Spartans. Both teams lost their last two games of the season after winning three of the previous four games to miss the bowl season. These Michigan schools need a fast start as they figure out their quarterback situations.
Central Michigan vs. Michigan State Betting and DFS Preview
- Spread
Michigan State -14.5, Central Michigan +14.5 - Moneyline
Michigan State -625, Central Michigan +455 - Over/Under
49 points - Game time
7:00 p.m. EST - Location
Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI - Predicted Weather at Kick
65 degrees, clear, winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph - How to Watch
FS1, Fox Sports App - How to Watch
FuboTV, FS1, Fox Sports App - How to Buy Tickets
TicketNetwork
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Central Michigan Depth Chart | Michigan State Depth Chart
- QB Noah Kim, Michigan State ($
- QB Katin Houser, Michigan State ($
- QB Bert Emanuel Jr., Central Michigan ($
- RB Jalen Berger, Michigan State ($
- RB Marlon Lukes, Central Michigan ($
- WR Tre Mosley, Michigan State ($
- WR Stephan Bracey Jr., Central Michigan ($
- WR Jalen McGaughy, Central Michigan ($
- TE Maliq Carr
- TE Marcus Young
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker hasn’t decided on who will be the starting quarterback after Payton Thorne bolted for Auburn back in April. Noah Kim and Katin Houser are battling for the starting job, with Kim having the advantage in the competition. There is a chance they both could play and see who is able to take the job and run it, but there are uncertainties surrounding it.
Michigan State shouldn’t have many questions with Jalen Berger stepping in as the starting running back once again this season. Behind a more experienced offensive line and carrying over his 683 yards and six touchdowns from 2022, Berger should be the main attraction of the offense.
Thorne is gone at quarterback, and their top receiver from last season, Keon Coleman is also gone, so that leaves Berger as the man to push the offense forward. That means Berger is the surest decision on fantasy in this game.
Central Michigan has the advantage at receiver with a couple of strong contenders for top receiver this season. Jalen McGaughy is the top returning receiver from last season, but Wisconsin transfer Stephan Bracey Jr. should push as the top receiver.
Those two receivers should help support quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr. as he has quarterback Jase Bauer nipping at his heels for the starting quarterback job. The unknown about the quarterback position could make it tough to start the quarterbacks or receivers at Central Michigan.
Tight end Maliq Carr could be poised for a bigger season than expected as the Spartans are low on top playmakers. The junior has a chance to step up and be the pass catcher the quarterbacks are looking for him to be.
Prediction for Central Michigan vs. Michigan State
2023 was not too kind to Michigan State as they thought they had an experienced quarterback and a deep-threat receiver in Thorne and Coleman, but both hit the transfer portal.
The team is hoping to have an improved running game after recent season struggles with the offensive line, as this offensive unit ranked 110th in rushing offense. Berger gives them plenty of hope that this could be a good season on the ground, especially with fewer playmakers and inexperience at quarterback.
The Spartans bring back six returning starters on defense that struggled last season with injuries. They dipped into the transfer portal for three defensive linemen as they looked to improve their defense after ranking 100th in the country in total defense, allowing 416.5 yards per game. With their offense seeing a lot of changes too close to the season, it’ll be on the defense to support them and create turnovers.
Central Michigan is also facing a dilemma about the quarterback position as it does appear that Emanuel will start, but Bauer has experience starting, so fans can’t count him out of this game.
There are receivers on this roster who can make plays, but it will all fall on Emanuel to make plays for the team. The running game is the strength for the Chippewas, so look for backs Marion Lukes and Myles Bailey to carry the load against Michigan State.
The Chippewas have an experienced secondary that could have an advantage against the Spartans’ lack of deep threats, forcing them to run the ball. Nine starters are back on defense this season for Central Michigan, so the experience is there, but they need to prove they can play against the Power Five schools well.
While Central Michigan has more experience, Michigan State still has more talent on its squad. The Spartans may have an up-and-down season with the losses they have suffered on offense, but Central Michigan is a good matchup to clean up mistakes.
Don’t discount the Chippewas too much, though; they have enough to make it an interesting game but have to win the turnover battle to stay in it.
Prediction
Michigan State 28, Central Michigan 14