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The Western Michigan Broncos take a quick trip to East Lansing for a major test on Friday. Western Michigan faces the Michigan State Spartans in the season opener on both sides. It is the 17th all-time meeting between Western Michigan and Michigan State, with the two sides squaring off for the first time since 2019. Michigan State was 11-2 last season, with Western Michigan finishing at 8-5.

Caesars Sportsbook lists the Spartans as 22.5-point home favorites, and kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 54 in the latest Western Michigan vs. Michigan State odds. Before making any Michigan State vs. Western Michigan picks, you need to see the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer simulation model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past six-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,600 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It enters Week 1 of the 2022 college football season on a 45-32 run on all top-rated college football spread and money-line picks that dates back to 2021. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Western Michigan vs. Michigan State and just locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several college football odds and betting lines for Michigan State vs. Western Michigan:

  • Michigan State vs. Western Michigan spread: MSU -21
  • Michigan State vs. Western Michigan over/under: 54 points 
  • Michigan State vs. Western Michigan money line: MSU -2000, WMU +1050 
  • WMU: The Broncos led the MAC in total defense in 2021 
  • MSU: The Spartans have a 12-game winning streak over WMU
  • Michigan State vs. Western Michigan picks: See picks here.

Why Western Michigan can cover

Western Michigan's offense was tremendous a season ago. The Broncos ranked in the top 15 of the country in total offense, averaging 467.7 yards per game in 2021. Western Michigan also produced 32.5 points per game, and Tim Lester's team returns a pair of dynamic running backs. Sean Tyler led the team with 1,150 rushing yards and 6.5 yards per carry last season, and he also racked up nine touchdowns. La'Darius Jefferson is also back for Western Michigan after 836 rushing yards and ten touchdowns in 2021. 

Western Michigan also returns its second-leading receiver in Corey Crooms, who led the squad with 17.5 yards per catch and produced 768 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Michigan State had the worst passing defense in the Big Ten last season, allowing the most pass completions by a Big Ten program in two decades. The Spartans gave up 96 points and 985 passing yards in two late losses to Purdue and Ohio State, and Western Michigan will look to take advantage of that potential vulnerability for the favorite.

Why Michigan State can cover

The Spartans have the clear talent and depth advantage against Western Michigan. The Broncos are on a 15-game losing streak against top-25 teams, and Michigan State hasn't lost to Western Michigan since 1919. Michigan State racked up an 11-win season in 2021, covering the spread in nine games. While both teams lose valuable pieces on offense, Michigan State has impact transfers in Jalen Berger and Jarek Broussard at the running back position, and the Spartans should be improved on defense. 

Michigan State led the Big Ten with 38 sacks last season, finishing second in the conference in tackles for loss. Western Michigan's returning strength is in its rushing offense, and Michigan State was excellent against the ground game in 2021, giving up only 3.4 yards per carry and only nine rushing touchdowns. The Broncos lost the MAC's leading passer in Kaleb Eleby and current NFL wide receiver Skyy Moore. Michigan State should take advantage of those absences.

How to make Western Michigan vs. Michigan State picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, with both teams projected to record more than 235 passing yards. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations. You can only see the model's CFB picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Western Michigan vs. Michigan State? And which side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Western Michigan vs. Michigan State spread you need to jump on Friday, all from the model that has crushed its college football picks, and find out.