Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Michigan State Spartans 2010 NCAAF Week 3 Odds, Preview, and Predictions: Head football coach Brian Kelly has his hands full with his third consecutive Big Ten rival as he takes the Notre Dame Fighting Irish north to face the other Michigan team, the State Spartans on Saturday night at 8:00 PM ET in Lansing. Notre Dame struggled while quarterback Dayne Crist was out with a head injury last week against Michigan, but was a much better team with him calling the plays. “I mean, you want to keep Dayne Crist in the game at the end of the day,” Kelly said. “But I think that our offense is such that I don’t think you’re ever going to be conservative in what you do. I think we have to be careful not to play scared. So we’ll be careful.” Crist will need to be selective in his reads and not take any unnecessary hits. Vegas odds makers have the Michigan State Spartans a -3 1/2 point favorite at home against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
The Irish lost a close game on a come from behind victory for the Michigan Wolverines 28-24 at home in South Bend. In limited duty due to injury quarterback Dayne Crist was 13 for 25 for 277 yards two touchdowns and an interception. Armando Allen led the rushing attack with 15 carries for 89 yards. The Irish have some very talented defenders but were dissected by Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson giving up over 200 yards rushing and passing to the speedy sophomore enroute to 532 yards of total offense allowed. Ironically, they racked up 535 yards themselves in the loss. Vegas odds makers have the Notre Dame Fighting Irish +12500 odds to win the 2011 BCS National Championship.
The Spartans are 2-0 after a relatively easy victory 30-17 over Florida Atlantic on the road. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins was 9 for 17 for 142 yards a touchdown and a pick but the star of the show was running back Edwin Baker toting the ball 15 times for 183 yards including an 80 yard touchdown scamper. Michigan State is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Notre Dame and the total has gone OVER in 5 of Michigan State’s last 6 games when playing Notre Dame. Odds makers at BetUS have the over/under for the total score at 53 points combined of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Michigan State Spartans.
I predict a tough Irish victory on the road in hostile territory. Note: Rich Fritz is a Blog Writer on NSAwins.com and not a pro handicapper. For expert NCAA Football Predictions against the vegas spreads please visit the NSAwins.com homepage for top predictions today from the National Sports Advisors.