In its first season under head coach Jonathan Smith, the Michigan State Spartans are only one win shy of matching their total from all of last season, while the Boston College Eagles waited all of two games into the Bill O’Brien era to earn a spot in the AP Top 25.
Though the Eagles narrowly missed their chance of a second top-10 road win this season when they lost at No. 6 Missouri, 27-21, on Saturday, their head-to-head battle against the still-unbeaten Spartans has plenty of intrigue.
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 before his own death during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
Michigan State vs. Boston College Betting and DFS Preview
All Michigan State vs. Boston College odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Tuesday, Sept. 17.
- Spread
Boston College -7 - Moneyline
Michigan State +190, Boston College -230 - 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.
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
- QB Aidan Chiles (MSU)
- QB Thomas Castellanos (BC)
- RB Nate Carter (MSU)
- RB Kay’ron Lynch-Adams (MSU)
- RB Kye Robichaux (BC)
- RB Treshaun Ward (BC)
- WR Nick Marsh (MSU)
- WR Montorie Foster Jr. (MSU)
- WR Jaron Glover (MSU)
- WR Lewis Bond (BC)
- WR Jaedn Skeete (BC)
- WR Reed Harris (BC)
- TE Jack Velling (MSU)
- TE Kamari Morales (BC)
After successfully taking down an Oregon State transfer in DJ Uiagalelei in its season opener, Boston College will look to do the same with another former Beaver signal-caller and current Michigan State starter, Aidan Chiles. While the sophomore has as many interceptions as touchdown passes (4) this season, he’s a dual threat with his legs as he leads the Spartans with two rushing scores.
On the flip side is Thomas Castellanos of Boston College, who went 16 of 28 for 249 yards with three touchdowns last week against Missouri but also threw his first two interceptions of the season. The junior was direct and self-critical after the loss when he told reporters, “If I played better, we would’ve won.”
Only Miami’s Cameron Ward (11) has thrown for more touchdowns than Castellanos (9) among ACC quarterbacks this season, while his 16.8 yards per pass completion is tops in the conference.
Prediction for Michigan State vs. Boston College
Given his experience in the NFL and more recently with Nick Saban at Alabama, Bill 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