Free Pick: Peach Bowl at Atlanta 12/30/21

No.10 Michigan State 10-2 vs. No.12 Pittsburgh 11-2

This is a game that has been hampered by Pittsburgh’s star quarterback, Kenny Pickett opting out and not playing. Michigan State running back, Kenneth Walker followed suit and he won’t play for the Spartans. So the game has lost some of the luster it had before these two guys made their announcements. Without Pickett, the Panthers offense will suffer and this could give Michigan State the edge. Let’s see what Vegas thinks.

TEAM TOTALS:

Michigan State: 30.5 Total Team Points The Spartans have been explosive on offense and the loss of Walker will hurt their running game. The Pittsburgh offense gets most of the attention for the Panthers, but their defense has been good overall, and they are holding opponents to only 91 rushing yards per game. Still, Michigan State has scored over 31 points in 7 of their 12 games. I’m taking them OVER 30.5 team points.

Pittsburgh: 29.5 Total Team Points Before the loss of Pickett, the Panthers were scoring 43 points and averaging 502 total yards per game. He had thrown for 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns. It will be very hard to replace that kind of production. Michigan State is weak in the secondary and he would have put up some huge numbers. No one else has played any significant minutes at quarterback, but they have lots of playmakers and they have scored 30 or more points in 11 of the 13 games they have played. I’m taking them UNDER 29.5 team points.

OVER/UNDER: 56 combined team points This is a total that would have been higher if both teams were at full strength. I still like the OVER in this one.

POINT SPREAD: Michigan State is a 2.5-point favorite. Logic says that the Spartans should be the pick in this one and the line might even be more in their favor. We just don’t see how Pittsburgh can hold up without their star player and we also are considering the fact, that no one else has much experience under center for the Panthers. Both teams have had great seasons and were major surprises in the 2021 campaign. They both should be motivated to play.

DUDES WHO BET SPORTS PICK: Michigan State -2.5