Rutgers Vs. Michigan State: Will Spartans Roll In Mel Tucker’s Debut?

This sentence cannot be rewritten since it is missing.

It is not anticipated that Michigan State and Rutgers will be strong contenders in the Big Ten race for 2020.

Both teams have a fresh coaching staff for the upcoming fall season, following a disappointing performance in 2019.

Nevertheless, a victory awaits one of them as they kick off their abbreviated 2020 NCAA football season this Saturday at noon ET (Big Ten Network).

Sports bettors in Michigan have the opportunity to take advantage of the Rutgers vs. Michigan State matchup at physical sportsbooks within the state.

Michigan State heavy favorites at home

Despite various uncertainties surrounding the new season, oddsmakers are confident that Michigan State is the undisputed frontrunner for Saturday’s game against Rutgers.

Michigan State is listed as a 12.5-point favorite for their home game by DraftKings. The sportsbook has also set the over/under at 44.5 points.

According to PointsBet, Michigan State is favored by 13.5 points, while the over/under remains the same.

The Spartans have unattractive moneylines with DraftKings offering them at -625 and PointsBet at -530. On the other hand, if you’re seeking a substantial payout, Rutgers might be the better choice. DraftKings (+420) and PointsBet (+390) are offering approximately a 4-to-1 payout if the Knights secure a victory.

History lesson: Spartans dominate Knights

In the Big Ten’s history, MSU and Rutgers have faced off on 11 occasions, with the Spartans holding a commanding 8-3 lead in overall victories.

Ever since Rutgers became a member of the Big Ten conference in 2014, Michigan State has emerged victorious in all six encounters with the Scarlet Knights. In terms of betting, MSU has covered the spread in four out of those six games. Notably, one of their triumphs was a resounding 27-0 win over Rutgers in November of last year.

In the past, these two teams have consistently played under the total score. Out of their six Big Ten matchups, five have resulted in scores below the set benchmark, with all three games at Spartan Stadium following the same trend.

Both teams have weak trends outside of the series. In their last 16 home games, Michigan State has only won three against the spread (ATS). Additionally, they have a poor record of 1-7 ATS in their last eight Big Ten games.

Rutgers has not performed significantly better, with a record of 2-7 against the spread in their previous nine conference games and 2-5 against the spread in their last seven games during October.

As of now, in terms of public betting, the majority of bettors are favoring Michigan State as the clear favorite by a double-digit margin. Approximately 60% of the current wagers are being placed on the Spartans.

Mel Tucker era begins in East Lansing

Despite not having high expectations for 2020, MSU fans are eagerly anticipating the arrival of first-year coach Mel Tucker and are curious to witness the impact he will make.

Following Mark Dantonio’s retirement in 2019, Tucker assumed the coaching role at Michigan State, taking over from Dantonio’s successful 13-year tenure. Dantonio, having garnered a record of 114-57 and securing two Big Ten Conference championships, left behind an impressive legacy.

Since joining the program, Tucker’s experience has been like riding a rollercoaster, with spring football being cancelled due to COVID-19, preventing him from implementing his new system until the fall.

Tucker’s main focus is to overhaul the MSU offense, which had a meager average of 22.4 points per game in 2019.

In order to achieve that, MSU must identify its new starting quarterback. This week, an intense battle for the QB position ensues among junior Rocky Lombardi, sophomore Theo Day, and redshirt freshman Payton Thorne.

A guaranteed spot in the team is reserved for the running back position, which was brilliantly occupied by Elijah Collins during his freshman year, accumulating almost 1,000 rushing yards.

Michigan State can consistently count on their defense to be one of the top performers in the conference, even when faced with offensive inquiries. Last season, the Spartans impressively limited their opponents to an average of 22.7 points and 319.2 yards per game.

Greg Schiano looks to reclaim glory at Rutgers

After ending the 2019 season with a disappointing 2-10 record, Rutgers decided to bring back Greg Schiano to lead the program once more.

As the head coach of the Scarlet Knights from 2001-2011, Schiano accumulated a record of 68-67. Notably, his coaching tenure included a remarkable 11-2 season in 2006, during which Rutgers finished 12th in the nation.

For the past five seasons, Rutgers has failed to achieve a record of more than four wins in any given year.

Rutgers is currently facing a quarterback competition as well. Coach Schiano is considering either Noah Vedral, a transfer graduate from Nebraska, or Art Sitkowski, a sophomore. Both candidates have limited on-field experience.

Unsurprisingly, Rutgers ranked at the bottom of the Big Ten in offensive performance during 2019. The Knights only managed to score an average of 13.3 points and gain 273.1 yards per game.

In 2020, the responsibility of leading the unit falls on the shoulders of Isaih Pacheco, a junior running back. During his sophomore year, Pacheco demonstrated his prowess by accumulating 729 rushing yards and scoring seven touchdowns.

The Rutgers defense has a significant amount of progress to achieve. Last year, the Knights allowed an average of 36.7 points and 433.6 yards per game. Additionally, the defense was only able to accumulate 18 sacks and generate a mere 10 turnovers.

Please rephrase your request.