Michigan State vs Western Michigan Prediction, Game Preview & Betting Lines 2025

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Aug 24, 2025 2:41 PM ET

After losing four of its last five and seven of its last nine, Michigan State needs to open up with something strong.

It's the second year of the Jonathan Smith era, and he has a better team than he had when he first arrived from Oregon State. But the offense has to show up and prove it can score without it looking so painfully hard.

Western Michigan also sputtered down the stretch, losing four of its last five games, including the Salute to Veterans Bowl against South Alabama.

Michigan State vs Western Michigan Preview

Michigan State vs Western Michigan: How To Watch
Date: Friday, August 29, 2025
Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: FS1
Location: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI

Why Western Michigan Will Win

No, really. Can Michigan State score?

Jonathan Smith knows offenses, and he has a few nice pieces in place, but the Spartans averaged fewer than 20 points per game with little rhythm and little explosion.

The Broncos don't have the talent to keep up if this gets into any sort of a shootout, but if the ground game can be just okay, they'll have a shot. The magic number last year was 195 rushing yards - they won when they got there. But ...

Why Michigan State Will Win

Michigan State allowed more than 195 yards twice last year - Oregon and Rutgers - and this season the run defense is even better.

The Spartan offense needs to show something in this. The Western Michigan defense doesn't have the interior to hold up if the Spartan ground game works, and that's the big question mark.

There's more explosion on the outside of the attack, and QB Aidan Chiles is a talent, but the great new transfers have to be great right away up front. So ...

Michigan State vs Western Michigan: Who Will Win

Western Michigan won't go away easily, but Michigan State will show enough of a burst midway through the game to take control.

Chiles needs to minimize the mistakes, but he'll also take enough downfield shots to open things up. It won't be quite as easy overall as Spartan fans might like, but it'll be a relatively worry-free opener that gets all the new guys up to speed.

Michigan State vs Western Michigan Prediction, Betting Lines

Michigan State 34, Western Michigan 16
Consensus Line: Michigan State -19.5, o/u: 49.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Must See Rating: 2

Consensus Line from BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

This article first appeared on College Football News and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: