Michigan State at Rutgers - 2021 Matchup Preview
Michigan State logo   Michigan State Spartans at Rutgers Scarlet Knights  Rutgers logo
Saturday, October 9th 2021 (12:00 PM EDT)
Michigan State -4.5 (50.0)
Michigan State 31 - Rutgers: 13  (Big Ten)

 
Spartans (11 - 2) (9 - 4 - 0)
Coach Mel Tucker (5 - 5)
Avg Score : 25 - 30 (22 - 33 on Road)
'21 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
RUTG 2nd straight Home Game
RUTG is playing their 6th straight game
MSU is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: -4.5  (SP+ MSU -14)
Projected Score: MSU: 27 - RUTG: 32 (59)
MSU Win prob: 64% | Cover: 49%
MSU Travel: 6535 miles
Scarlet Knights (5 - 8) (6 - 7 - 0)
Coach Greg Schiano (6 - 6)
Avg Score : 29 - 32 (35 - 30 @ Home)
'21 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Michigan State's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 9/3 Michigan State at Northwestern+3.045.5W 38 - 21OY
Sat 9/11 Michigan State vs Youngstown State-28.552.0W 42 - 14ON
Sat 9/18 Michigan State at Miami+7.057.5W 38 - 17UY
Sat 9/25 Michigan State vs Nebraska-3.555.0W 23 - 20UN
Sat 10/2 Michigan State vs Western Kentucky-10.566.5W 48 - 31OY
Sat 10/9 Michigan State at Rutgers-4.550.0W 31 - 13UY
Sat 10/16 Michigan State at Indiana-3.548.5W 20 - 15UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/30 Michigan State vs Michigan+4.050.5W 37 - 33OY
Sat 11/6 Michigan State at Purdue-2.553.0L 29 - 40ON
Sat 11/13 Michigan State vs Maryland-11.560.0W 40 - 21OY
Sat 11/20 Michigan State at Ohio State+19.570.5L 7 - 56UN
Sat 11/27 Michigan State vs Penn State+3.551.5W 30 - 27OY
Thu 12/30 Michigan State vs Pittsburgh-3.555.0W 31 - 21UY

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Michigan State's Schedule
Rutgers's 2021 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/4 Rutgers vs Temple-14.052.0W 61 - 14OY
Sat 9/11 Rutgers at Syracuse-2.550.5W 17 - 7UY
Sat 9/18 Rutgers vs Delaware-20.045.0W 45 - 13OY
Sat 9/25 Rutgers at Michigan+20.050.0L 13 - 20UY
Sat 10/2 Rutgers vs Ohio State+15.058.0L 13 - 52ON
Sat 10/9 Rutgers vs Michigan State+4.550.0L 13 - 31UN
Sat 10/16 Rutgers at Northwestern-2.545.0L 7 - 21UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/30 Rutgers at Illinois-1.541.5W 20 - 14UY
Sat 11/6 Rutgers vs Wisconsin+13.037.5L 3 - 52ON
Sat 11/13 Rutgers at Indiana+6.542.5W 38 - 3UY
Sat 11/20 Rutgers at Penn State+14.044.5L 0 - 28UN
Sat 11/27 Rutgers vs Maryland-2.053.0L 16 - 40ON
Fri 12/31 Rutgers vs Wake Forest+17.063.0L 10 - 38UN

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Rutgers's Schedule
Important Stats (2020)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MSU-.0233%24.628%2.179238%2392.49.1340%29.938%41%3.7165.12.91.4
RUTG.0535%28.735%2.5514035%1993.35.1945%31.846%44%3.9259.71.42.2
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
RUTG0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2020
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MSU Offense724.621.633.2%2.492.916331922392.748%52%28%38%21%-.02
RUTG Defense931.830.344.9%3.922.2 - - - - - 57%43%46%44%17%.19
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MSU Defense729.932.839.6%3.711.4 - - - - - 48%52%38%41%16%.13
RUTG Offense928.735.435.2%3.351.4193391401993.750%50%35%35%19%.05

Additional Stats 2020
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Michigan State727:1416.133%42%6.965.12.91.46.11.7025.7
Rutgers927:571934%50%7.359.71.42.27.92.2330.2
Run Game Stats (2021)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MSU Offense748%28%3492.12.72-.172.1763%13%0.9
RUTG Defense957%46% - - - - .092.7565%13%0.95
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MSU Defense748%38% - - - - -2.4264%10%1.06
RUTG Offense950%35%38.1140.13.7132.5575%12%1.07

Pass Game Stats (2021)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MSU Offense752%38%18.934.7238.96.912.71112.141.636%23%8%1.8
RUTG Defense943%44% - - - - - - 8.341.629%35%.444%2
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MSU Defense752%41% - - - - - - 5.261.533%36%.466%2
RUTG Offense950%35%21.734.3198.65.89.2148.11.536%24%.168%2.1

Michigan State's Power Ratings
Michigan State's Power Rating: NR
Michigan State's Offense Rating: NR
Michigan State's Defense Rating: NR
2021 Talent Rating:  #36
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Michigan State's 2021 Expected Record: -
Michigan State's 2021 Overall SP+ Rating: 11.2  #28
Michigan State's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.3  #31
Michigan State's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.7  #30

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Michigan State:    Rutgers: 1

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Michigan State: 11.2   Rutgers: -3.0




Rutgers's Power Ratings
Rutgers's Power Rating: 1 NR
Rutgers's Offense Rating: NR
Rutgers's Defense Rating: NR
2021 Talent Rating:  #64
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 NR
Rutgers's 2021 Expected Record: -
Rutgers's 2021 Overall SP+ Rating: -3.0  #88
Rutgers's Offense SP+ Rating: 20.8  #110
Rutgers's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.7  #46

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 0
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Michigan State Scoring
Offense: 24.6 PPG
Offense on Road: 21.6
Defense: 29.9 PPG
Defense on Road: 32.8

Michigan State's 2021 Record
Record: 11 - 2
Record vs Spread: 9 - 4 - 0
Over/Under Record: 7 - 6
Record on Road: 4 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 4 - 2 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 5 - 3 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Rutgers 32
Michigan State 27

Projected Total Points: 59
Rutgers Scoring
Offense: 28.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 35.4
Defense: 31.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 30.3

Rutgers's 2021 Record
Record: 5 - 8
Record vs Spread: 6 - 7 - 0
Over/Under Record: 5 - 8
Record at home: 2 - 4
Record vs Spread at home: 2 - 4 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 5 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 0 - 3 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/30Michigan State14Rutgers41Michigan State -1.5Rutgers46.5Over
202310/14Rutgers27Michigan State24Rutgers -4Michigan State38.5Over
202211/12Michigan State27Rutgers21Michigan State -10.0Rutgers41.0Over
202110/09Rutgers13Michigan State31Michigan State -4.5Michigan State50.0Under
202010/24Michigan State27Rutgers38Michigan State -9.5Rutgers45.0Over
201911/23Rutgers0Michigan State27Michigan State -22.5Michigan State43.5Under
201811/24Michigan State14Rutgers10Michigan State -24.5Rutgers37.0Under
201711/25Rutgers7Michigan State40Michigan State -14Michigan State42.5Over
201611/12Michigan State49Rutgers0Michigan State -15.5Michigan State53.5Under
201510/10Rutgers24Michigan State31Michigan State -17Rutgers56.0Under
201411/22Michigan State45Rutgers3Michigan State -22Michigan State0
200409/04Rutgers19Michigan State14
200309/06Michigan State44Rutgers28
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Rutgers455 Overs
Michigan State965 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams7 - 63 - 82 - 51 - 3
Road Teams6 - 78 - 33 - 15 - 2

(#) MSU at (#) RUTG
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatMSURUTG
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #28 #88
Perf GradeGrade #36 #117
OffenseOff #26 #117
DefenseDef #43 #114
Spec TeamsST #126 #27
TalentTal #36 #64
Blue ChipsBC%NRNR
Michigan State on Offense
CategoryCat
MSU OffRUTG Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #26 #114
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #31 #46
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
Michigan State Run Game
CategoryCat
MSU OffRUTG Def
Run GameRun #51 #89
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR Blk #29 -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak -  #77
Michigan State Pass Game
CategoryCat
MSU OffRUTG Def
Pass GamePass #61 #122
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #22 #101
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Rutgers on Offense
CategoryCatRUTG OffMSU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #117 #43
SuccessSucNRNR
ExplosiveExpNRNR
PPAPPANRNR
PowerPwrNRNR
SP+SP+ #110 #30
Pts POPPONRNR
HavocHavNRNR
Rutgers Run Game
CategoryCat
RUTG OffMSU Def
Run GameRun #51 #20
Run SuccessRSucNRNR
Run ExplRExpNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Run BlockR Blk #126 -
OL YdsOLYNRNR
Stuff RateStuffNRNR
TackleTak -  #109
Rutgers Pass Game
CategoryCatRUTG OffMSU Def
Pass GamePass #131 #91
Pass SuccessPSucNRNR
Pass ExplPExlNRNR
PPAExpNRNR
Pass Block/RushP Blk #57 #20
F7 HavocF7NRNR
DB HavocDBNRNR
Program Comparison
RUTG 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg G5
'21 Profile: Up to Average G5

MSU 5 Year Profile: Improving Average P4
'21 Profile: Remains Average P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in SHI Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 6
Michigan State 4.5 (50.0)
Michigan State won at Rutgers this year (31-13)

Previous Matchups
Rutgers beat Michigan State in 2024 (41-14)
Rutgers beat Michigan State in 2023 (27-24)

  
MSU's OC Jay Johnson (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Michigan State's Full Roster

MSU's DC Scottie Hazelton (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD

RUTG's OC Sean Gleeson (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG

View Rutgers's Full Roster

RUTG's DC Robb Smith (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD