Three Best Bets for Michigan State vs. No. 9 UCLA

Week One: 3-1

Week Two: 2-1

Week Three: 1-2

Week Four: 0-1 (2 voids)

Week Five: 3-0

Week Six: 2-1

Week Seven: 3-0

Overall: 14-6

The train keeps rolling after another perfect weekend, pushing my record to 8-1 over the last three weeks. Overall, my record on the season sits at a pretty decent 14-6 as well.

Last week, we barely notched all three wins, but they all went down as green checkmarks nonetheless.

Jayden Savoury needed 30-plus receiving yards and finished with 33. Aidan Chiles needed 217-plus passing yards and finished with 226. Chiles also needed 20-plus rushing yards and finished with 25.

They all squeaked by, and I hit my second perfect week in the past three opportunities. So, let's saddle up and get ready for another masterclass.

I outright picked Michigan State to upset the Bruins this Saturday, but just in case this game goes horribly wrong for the Green and White, I still like the Spartans to stay within 17 points.

The Spartans have found a bit of an identity over the last six quarters and had a chance to upset No. 24 Northwestern last weekend.

UCLA has all the expectations and remains the only undefeated team overall in the Big Ten this season. Meanwhile, the Spartans have dropped five in a row and have almost nothing left to play for outside of pride. With expectations largely erased, Michigan State can play more freely and focus on finishing the season strong.

This game is going to be closer than many people realize.

This game should feature an abundance of rushing attempts. I would go so far as to guess that the first half will be especially run-heavy as both teams look to establish the ground game and open up more passing lanes in the second half.

Both teams have stout run defenses, yet both can run the ball very well themselves. It will be an interesting dynamic to see which team comes out on top in the rushing game overall.

Nonetheless, given the expected emphasis on the run, UCLA's backup quarterback and Michigan State's offensive struggles in the first half, I expect this game to stay under 23.5 points before halftime.

I would like this bet even more at 24.5, but we risk it for the biscuit.

The Spartans will be without their top four starting cornerbacks for the second consecutive week. Last week, with a disruptive defensive line helping out, the secondary players forced into starting roles looked serviceable.

At the same time, UCLA backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach made his first start against a Wisconsin defense that had stifled Michigan State, holding the Spartans to just three points.

Dieffenbach threw for 264 yards on 33 attempts, showing no problem stepping in and carving up a defense. I would bet he can throw for 200-plus yards again, but just in case, I'm staying away from his passing-yardage total. Instead, I'll take UCLA's team receiving yards in case anything unexpected happens at quarterback for the Bruins.

Despite both teams being ready to establish the run, passing will still be a key to victory. With Michigan State's depleted secondary, UCLA has an opportunity to take advantage through the air.

Play them all straight to bring home some cash, or feel free to test the waters and parlay all three into a +500 slip, turning $50 into $300 if it hits.