Washington vs. Michigan State picks, predictions: Week 3 college football odds, lines

Expert picks and predictions for Washington vs. Michigan State in this Week 3 college football game and a notable Big Ten vs. Pac-12 matchup

One year from now, this game will be just a regular Big Ten conference matchup, but this week Washington and Michigan State meet in one of the bigger non-conference games of the early season in college football's Week 3 action on Saturday.

As much attention will be directed towards the sideline as the field as Michigan State will be without head coach Mel Tucker, who the school suspended pending further investigation into a sexual harassment allegation, meaning we'll see interim coach Harlon Bennett lead the team, with some help from former coach Mark Dantonio, who will return in an advisory role.

In the meantime, the Spartans will have to find a plan to stop Michael Penix, the Washington quarterback who is already good for 859 yards passing in two games with eight touchdowns and just one interception while completing 73 percent of his pass attempts for an offense that averages 566 yards per game.

What do the experts think of the matchup? Let's see how the College Football Power Index computer prediction model projects the game.

Washington vs. Michigan State picks, predictions

Washington vs. Michigan State picks, predictions / USA Today Images

Washington odds: The index is siding comfortably with the Huskies, who the model projects has a 66.1 percent chance to win the game outright, according to the analytics that pick winners by simulating games 20,000 times.

Michigan State odds: Conversely, the Big Ten hosts have a 33.9 percent chance to defend the home field and take down one of the Pac-12's most productive offenses.

Point spread: Washington comes into the game as 16.5 point favorites against Michigan State, according to the lines at SI Sportsbook. (Track it live)

Total: 57.5 points (Over -120, Under -105)

Washington predictions: The computers rate the Huskies as the No. 14 team in the nation in the latest 133 college football rankings, and project they are 16.4 points better than an average opponent, and estimate that they will win 8.7 games this season.

Michigan State predictions: The index ranks Sparty as the No. 39 team in the country, projecting them to be 6.2 points better than an average opponent on a neutral field, and estimated to win 6.2 games this season.

Washington vs. Michigan State schedule

When: Sat., Sept. 16
Time: 5 p.m. ET, 2 p.m. PT
Watch on: Peacock

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College Football Power Index

Football Power Index (FPI) college football rankings and computer prediction model are a measure of team strength that predicts a team’s future performance.

Rankings and scores predictions are based on 20,000 simulations of a team’s season, using a combination of analytics, including scores to date, quality of opponents, and a team’s schedule.

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College football rankings

More: A closer look at the AP top 25

First-place votes in parentheses

1. Georgia (55)
2. Michigan (2)
3. Florida State (3)
4. Texas (2)
5. USC
6. Ohio State
7. Penn State
8. Washington
9. Notre Dame
10. Alabama
11. Tennessee
12. Utah
13. Oregon
14. LSU
15. Kansas State
16. Oregon State
17. Ole Miss
18. Colorado
19. Oklahoma
20. North Carolina
21. Duke
22. Miami
23. Washington State
24. UCLA
25. Iowa

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