The Northwestern Wildcats will entertain the Michigan State Spartans Saturday afternoon, and I think this looks like a good spot to back the visitors on the moneyline at a reasonable price.

The Spartans are 6-1 SU (5-2 ATS) on the season and they're unbeaten 4-0 in Big Ten play. They're coming off a 17-9 victory against Indiana as they scored two touchdowns in the final six minutes to erase a 9-3 deficit. Michigan State has a solid D allowing just 16.9 ppg (No. 4 in the country by allowing just 262.3 yards of total offense per game) and it has held three of its last four opponents to 10 points or fewer.

Northwestern is hot as well as it's going for its third consecutive victory, but that does not take away the fact that the Wildcats are struggling to move the ball. Note that QB Clayton Thorson has thrown more interceptions (9) than touchdown passes (8) this season.

The Spartans are 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings at Northwestern and the road team is 13-3 ATS in their last 16 meetings.

My selection is an 8* play on Michigan State Spartans.