Oddsmakers give MSU surprising shot at B1G title

There are plenty of reasons a Michigan State fan can find to be excited about the 2017 football season – at least 50, actually. But one surprising reason for excitement comes from the oddsmakers, even if it is cautious excitement.

Less than two months from the start of the college football season, Bovada has all of their futures bets online. While MSU is far from a favorite for just about anything, the odds aren’t as long as some may think.

The online gambling website puts Michigan State’s odds at winning the NCAA Championship at a long 300/1. But winning the Big Ten title is a slightly more manageable 50/1.

That gives MSU the ninth-best odds in the conference, ahead of conference bottom-feeders Indiana, Maryland, Illinois, Purdue and Rutgers.

Despite their ranking in conference, their odds are much closer to the top than the bottom. After the Spartans, the odds for the five remaining teams drop to 100/1 or worse. Ohio State has the best odds, followed by Wisconsin, Michigan and Penn State.

While the Big Ten title may seem like a long-shot, Bovada does have odds on a more realistic goal – an above .500 season. The website doesn’t have a whole lot of confidence it the Spartans getting over that hump.

Bovada has Michigan State’s season win total over/under set at 6.5 with a payout of +160 for the over and -200 for the under. But for State fans, even if they fall just short, six wins would get MSU back to postseason play.