Michigan State enters Saturday's game with Notre Dame 3-0 , the seventh time in eight seasons it has had a winning record heading into the fourth game. It was against the Irish in game-four a year ago when the Spartans had their classic fourth quarter melt down by blowing a 37-21 lead and losing 40-37. The loss to Notre Dame was then followed by a loss to Illinois. Following the two losses, the season unraveled resulting in a 4-8 mark and the departure of head coach John L. Smith.
The Spartans, looking to avoid matching last year’s embarrassment, enter their 3:30 p.m. ET nationally televised game (NBC) as heavy double-digit favorites, according to college football picks oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com having installed Michigan State the favorite by a -11 point chalk and a 43 total.
Betting trends show 61 percent of early wagering giving the points and going with the Spartans while 64 percent think the total will go OVER.
The Irish, (0-3) whom have only scored 13 points in three games including a 38-0 shutout at the hands of winless Michigan last week, enter the game as a demoralized group.
Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis told the press the mood outside the football complex has been “pretty solemn,” but talk of the 0-3 start has affected his players more than him.
It’s easy to understand why Notre Dame is 0-3 for the second time in school history. The Fighting Irish are last in the nation in rushing offense and total offense, are among the worst teams at stopping the run and have nearly twice as many punts as they do points.
What isn’t so easy to understand is how the Irish went so quickly from receiving consecutive Bowl Championship Series berths to becoming the butt of late night talk show jokes.
“Where is the talent,” asked College Football Picks expert Reno Goldberg while assessing Notre Dame’s gridiron demise. “Charlie [Weis] came in here two years ago when the cupboard was pretty full but at the same time he failed to bring in the recruits while finishing up that season (2004) with the Patriots. Follow that up with another so-so recruiting year and what was a talent laden team is now struggling.”
What isn’t so easy to understand is how the Irish went so quickly from receiving consecutive Bowl Championship Series berths to becoming the butt of late night talk show jokes.
Sportsbetting.com has Michigan State the favorite with a money line price of -410 while Notre Dame is getting +325 ml juice.
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