Joe Southwick has some big shoes to fill under center for Boise State.

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Boise State at Michigan State: What bettors need to know

Boise State Broncos at Michigan State Spartans (-7, 46.5)

Thirteenth-ranked Michigan State and No. 22 Boise State both feature new starting quarterbacks as they attempt to continue their winning ways in Friday's high-powered season-opening contest.

The Spartans are coming off back-to-back 11-win campaigns but no longer have three-year starter Kirk Cousins, the most prolific passer (9,131 yards, 66 touchdowns) in school history. Andrew Maxwell is Michigan State’s new starter.

Boise State’s Joe Southwick has even bigger shoes to fill in replacing Kellen Moore, who threw 142 career touchdowns and finished his career as the winningest quarterback (50-3) in NCAA history.

The Broncos are playing a high-profile opener for the fourth straight season, having defeated Oregon (2009), Virginia Tech (2010) and Georgia (2011) the past three years.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN.

LINE: Michigan State -7. Oddsmakers opened MSU as a touchdown favorite and that spread has fallen to 6.5. The total opened at 47 and has dropped half a point.

ABOUT BOISE STATE (2011: 12-1, 6-1 Mountain West): Southwick is a nimble junior who has attempted 54 career passes. The Broncos also have to replace all-everything running back Doug Martin and will call on sixth-year senior D.J. Harper, who has suffered two season-ending knee injuries during his career. Sophomore Matt Miller (62 catches last season) is the top receiver. The Broncos are in transition on defense after losing several key players. Senior cornerbacks Jamar Taylor and Jerrell Gavins and senior weak-side linebacker J.C. Percy are the top defenders.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (2011: 11-3, 7-1 Big Ten): Maxwell is a strong-armed junior who has attempted only 51 career passes. Junior running back Le’Veon Bell rushed for 948 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Junior receiver Bennie Fowler is healthy after missing most of last season with a foot injury. The Spartans are stacked on defense after having the nation’s sixth-best unit a year ago. Junior outside linebacker Denicos Allen had 11 sacks last season and junior middle linebacker Max Bullough had a team-best 89 tackles. Junior William Gholston (five sacks) is rated as one of the nation’s top defensive ends, and a strong secondary is led senior cornerback Johnny Adams (eight career interceptions) and hard-hitting junior strong safety Isaiah Lewis (four interceptions in 2011).

TRENDS:

* Broncos are 21-7 ATS in their last 28 road games.
* Spartans are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games.
* Under is 7-3-1 in Broncos' last 11 non-conference games.
* Over is 9-3 in Spartans' last 12 non-conference games.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Boise State and Michigan State have never met – the Broncos lost to Wisconsin in 1997 in their lone game against a Big Ten school and the Spartans are 7-2 against current members of the Mountain West.

2. The Spartans have won 11 consecutive home openers since falling to Colorado State in 1998.

3. The Broncos are 23-2 under coach Chris Petersen when having 10 or more days to prepare for an opponent.

If you have any feedback or suggestions for our Editorial Team, please contact us at Editorial

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Posted by vegasroy
8 months ago

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Posted by vegasroy
8 months ago

got mich st -7 at my local sports book on wednesday wish i had it @-6.5
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Posted by mydogmoe
8 months ago

Spartans have come a long way since Bama skinned them 2 years ago in their bowl game. MState has be trying to make a team that looks more SEC than Big 10. They have much more speed in their defensive front 7. I agree with overpay, it aint that easy to reload in Boise. Spartans will pound and ground Boise. MState by 2 TDs...
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Posted by alabamam25
8 months ago

beware the spread 7 traps look at south carolins
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Posted by LeRinkRat
8 months ago

I am a MSU fan BUT I can't understand this spread with is still -7 here in Las Vegas. for me it's either Boise +7 or no play.
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Posted by overpay
8 months ago

Ohhhh.....almost forgot!!!.....he he......Michigan St......- 6 1/2
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Posted by overpay
8 months ago

Milky!!!....and I'm back!!......Okay......quick recap....great win las night by Vandy like I predicted.....very easy and was never in doubt!.....now for tonights game.......Questions and Answers......Why is the line going down?......A:.....Boise hasn't lost a game by more then 2points in long time! Why is Boise ranked #22?....I have no freaking idea!....seems rediculas to me!....The offensive line are the only starters coming back. Can Boise reload like an Alabama or USC?.....I don't think so.......My thinking goes like this.....I think the offenses are about even but Michigas St's defense could be special....their at home and going against a rockie QB.............It seems to me the spread should be -9 1/2 approaching 10.........but that's just what over-pay thinks.....now Boise could cover this game for sure.....southwick could be the second coming of Kellen moore and have a great game......but I doubt he is and I think they are about to be smoked for the first time in a long time!!......your welcome!!!!!
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Posted by andys225
8 months ago

MSU -6.5
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Top Response

Posted by overpay
8 months ago

"Milky!!!....and I'm back!!......Okay......quick recap....great win las night by Vandy like I predicted.....very easy and was never in doubt!.....now for tonights game.......Questions and Answers......Why is the line going down?......A:.....Boise hasn..."

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Sports Betting Headlines »

Featured Free Play
MLB: Kansas City vs. Oakland
Pick:
Oakland
Start:
May 19, 2013 - 4:05 PM
Capper:
Will Rogers
Offered at:
betonline @ -152 Oakland
Analysis:

I'm recommending a small wager on the A's Sunday over the Royals. They have beaten Kansas City by identical 2-1 scores the last two days, and for me I cashed a winning Under ticket Friday. That's only a part of my perfect 9-0 run the last two days with premium releases as May has been quite kind to those following me. In fact, I have cashed 70% of my selections the last four weeks (96-45-1), which comes out to a $31K profit!

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Royals Not Hitting:  The Royals have lost 9 of 12. In those nine losses, they have scored a total of 21 runs and consider in one of those games, they scored six times. In their last five losses, they have scored a total of just eight times.  Last night saw them go just 1 for 7 at the plate with runners in scoring position. The road is typically not the place a team is going to break out of an offensive slump.

2. Pitching Matchup - You definitely have to like AJ Griffin over Luis Mendoza.  Griffin has been sharp this month, turning in a 2-1 record and 1.74 ERA. His WHIP is 1.016. He just beat Texas by allowing only one run over seven innings. His KW ratio was an oustatanding 8-0. Not only are the A's 18-6 with Griffin on the mound the last two years, but they are 11-1 when they are off a win and he's pitching.  For the Royals, Luis Mendoza has only one win on the season and an ERA north of 6.00.

3. X-Factor - Oakland is 32-11 as a favorite of -125 to -175 the last two seasons.  

Selection: The play is on the Oakland A;s (1*).

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