In Jonathan Smith’s first season at the helm, the Michigan State Spartans are just one win away from matching last year’s victory total, while Boston College had cracked the Top 25 two games into the Bill O’Brien era.
This prime-time game will also be the Eagles’ 11th annual Red Bandanna Game to honor 9/11 hero Welles Crowther, who is credited with saving at least one dozen people in the South Tower of the World Trade Center during the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
Michigan State vs. Boston College Betting Preview
All Michigan State vs. Boston College odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Saturday, September 21, 2024.
- Spread
Boston College -5 - Moneyline
Michigan State +170, Boston College -205 - Over/Under
45.5 - Game time
8 p.m. ET - Location
Alumni Stadium | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts - Predicted Weather at Kick
58 degrees, cloudy and cool - How to Watch
ACC Network, ESPN+
Michigan State was more than a touchdown underdog on the road at Maryland two weeks ago before earning an outright upset over the Terrapins, 27-24. They will again be heavy underdogs in Chestnut Hill as they look to start a season 4-0 for the first time since 2021.
The Spartans have preferred the underdog role under Smith, considering they are 0-2 against the spread as favorites this season compared to 1-0 ATS as an underdog. Michigan State is also 6-4-2 ATS in non-conference games over the past five seasons.
Boston College is one of two ACC schools to cover the spread in each of its first three games of the season so far (Pittsburgh). The Eagles were only 5-8 against the spread last season, which included a 1-5 ATS mark following a loss.
Both teams have seen two of their three games go under the total this season. Boston College (13.3 points per game allowed) and Michigan State (11.3) both rank in the top third of FBS teams in scoring defense this season.
Prediction for Michigan State vs. Boston College
Given his experience in the NFL and more recently with Nick Saban at Alabama, O’Brien probably isn’t in the business of moral victories. However, that’s exactly what Boston College earned last week while going toe-to-toe with one of the SEC’s elite teams.
Boston College committed the game’s only two turnovers last week after they had given the football away just once in their opening two games of the season.
They were also held to just 49 rushing yards against Missouri after averaging 284.5 yards on the ground against Florida State and Duquesne.
If the Eagles are able to win the time of possession battle by limiting their turnovers and generating any kind of run game, they should be able to ride the emotional tidal wave that their Red Bandanna Game creates for the home fans.
Prediction: Boston College 27, Michigan State 17
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