DANGEROUS DANTONIO
Coach’s Spartans will be angry ’dogs vs. Penn St.
With critics on the attack and negativity swirling, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio is backed into a corner. In times like these, he fights back. Dantonio is the definition of a hungry, ugly underdog this week.
The Spartans took butt-kickings on recent road trips to Wisconsin and Ohio State, outscored 72-10 in blowouts that exposed all of their offensive flaws. Another Big Ten heavyweight arrives on the schedule Saturday, when Penn State (7-0) rolls into East Lansing.
James Franklin is living in a different world than Dantonio after the Nittany Lions took down Iowa and Michigan in back-to-back weeks. Penn State was outgained in each game, however, and the Wolverines were especially effective last week while totaling 134 more yards with a 15½-minute advantage in time of possession.
Dantonio’s defense will make things difficult for Sean Clifford, who passed for only 117 yards against the Hawkeyes and 182 yards against the Wolverines. The concern for the Spartans will be their anemic offense, with senior quarterback Brian Lewerke facing a Penn State defense that ranks No. 4 in the nation, allowing 10 points per game.
This spot sets up for Michigan State to make a statement against a fat and happy road favorite. The pick: Michigan State, +5.
Washington State (+14) over OREGON: Justin Herbert brought the Ducks back from a 14-point, second-half deficit to beat Washington 35-31 in Seattle a week ago. Bettors who took three points with the Huskies are still stunned about the loss. The Cougars’ Anthony Gordon leads the nation with 2,981 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. Mike Leach has won and covered the past four versus the Ducks, with Washington State covering nine in a row in this series.
Texas Tech-KANSAS (Over 64½) : Brent Dearmon, the Jayhawks’ new offensive coordinator, recently installed a fast-paced system that treats each possession like a two-minute drill. Dearmon’s debut was impressive in Kansas’ 50-48 loss at Texas last week. The Red Raiders are picking up their pace with Jett Duffey at quarter
back, so expect another Big 12 shootout.
Notre Dame (-1) over MICHI
GAN: The Fighting Irish opened as 4-point underdogs before sharp money flipped the favorite. It’s far from an ideal scheduling spot for the Wolverines after their physical battle at Penn State. Notre Dame is off a bye, so the edge goes to Brian Kelly, who outcoached Jim Harbaugh last year. The defenses are similar, but Kelly has the better QB in Ian Book.
LAST WEEK: 1-2. SEASON: 9-13-2.
Matt Youmans is senior editor of VSiN.com and hosts The Edge (1-3 a.m., weekdays).