A Big Ten conference battle is set for a noon kickoff as the UCLA Bruins travel to East Lansing to take on the Michigan State Spartans. The Spartans enter the contest as a home favorite, but significant injuries on the defensive side of the ball could play a major role in the outcome.
Game Details:
- Matchup: UCLA Bruins at Michigan State Spartans
- Date: Saturday, October 11
- Time: 12:00 PM EST
- Location: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI
- TV: Big Ten Network (BTN)
- Spread: Michigan State -7.5
- Total (Over/Under): 52.5
Team Breakdown
UCLA Bruins
Information on the Bruins’ recent form is limited in the provided results, but their injury situation appears more stable than their opponent’s. While the team has dealt with some long-term injuries, with players like OL Jaylan Jeffers and DL Tyler Partlow reported as out for the season in late September, they seem to be the healthier squad coming into this matchup. With Michigan State’s defense potentially vulnerable, the UCLA offense will look to capitalize and put points on the board early.
Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans (3-2, per a Covers.com report) are facing a critical situation on defense. According to multiple reports, the unit has been struggling, and injuries to key players will only make things more difficult.
The biggest concern is in the secondary, where starting safety Nikai Martinez is expected to be out. He was listed on the injury report as recently as last week’s game against Nebraska, and his absence creates a significant hole in a defense that needs its veteran leaders.
Furthermore, the status of linebacker Wayne Matthews III is a major question mark. Matthews suffered a scary injury against USC in late September and was carted off the field. While there was positive news that he was medically cleared and released from the hospital, his availability for this game is highly doubtful. Playing without two key defensive starters will put immense pressure on the rest of the unit to slow down the Bruins.
Prediction
This game hinges on the health of the Michigan State defense. Giving up more than a touchdown at home is a tough ask for a team that is confirmed to be without a starting safety and is very likely to be missing a key linebacker as well. A defense described as “struggling” even before these absences will have a hard time containing the UCLA offense.
While the Spartans have the home-field advantage, the injuries are too significant to ignore. UCLA should be able to move the ball effectively and score enough to keep this game well within the 7.5-point spread. Michigan State may still pull out a narrow victory, but covering the spread seems unlikely. With a depleted MSU defense, expect both teams to find the end zone.
The Pick: UCLA +7.5
Over/Under: Over 52.5
Predicted Score: Michigan State 30, UCLA 27
Sources:
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