Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State Football: Betting odds vs. Illinois

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Here are the betting odds for Michigan State football’s Week 10 contest against Illinois Saturday.

Mark Dantonio probably didn’t envision a 2-6 start to the season after Michigan State football made the College Football Playoff in 2015. However, the Spartans are reeling after six straight losses, but there are some keys to victory. The Illinois Fighting Illini are a beatable 2-6 as well.

Must Read: Michigan State vs Illinois: 5 bold predictions

If Tyler O’Connor can put his poor start to the season behind him and finish his final month as a collegiate quarterback strong, the Spartans will win. Also, if LJ Scott can continue his hot stretch, the offense will begin to click on all cylinders Saturday.

Here are the betting odds for Saturday afternoon’s game against Illinois:

Point Spread: Michigan State -8
Over/Under: 47

This is a tough one to bet on. Michigan State opened as a 9.5-point favorite, but the line has since dwindled to eight. The Spartans are on a six-game losing streak, making this line a little bit of a head-scratcher.

Illinois is also having a tough season, though. The Fighting Illini are also 2-6, but they haven’t really been in any of their games. Every loss has been by double-digits and their only Big Ten win came against hapless Rutgers.

Michigan State might be the safe bet in this case to cover the spread just because the Fighting Illini don’t exactly have the best track record. However, O’Connor did mention trying to stay away from the Michigan game hangover.

It’s much easier to get amped up for a game against in-state rival Michigan than it is Illinois. Dantonio will have his guys prepared.