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Matchup preview

Nebraska vs Michigan State

Nebraska visit Michigan State in Week 4. The model favors Nebraska by 9.8. Win probability, the tale of the tape, and the all-time series, all from real data.

Win probability
72%
28%

Model win probability from SP+ ratings + home-field edge.

The read
Model analysis · September 23 · refreshed weekly

SP+ separates these teams cleanly: Nebraska rates 14.5 (23rd) against Michigan State at 2.3 (65th), a gap of more than 12 points. That drives a projected Nebraska margin of 9.8 and a model win probability of 72 percent. The market is more cautious, hanging Michigan State at plus 5.5 with a total of 48.8 and implying Nebraska at 63 percent. The ProphetX exchange splits the difference, with Nebraska at minus 205 for a 67 percent implied number. The disagreement is one of degree, not direction: every input favors Nebraska, but the model reads the edge as roughly nine points wider than the consensus line.

The unit ranks reinforce the spread, with Nebraska stronger on both sides (offense 24, defense 24) than Michigan State (offense 63, defense 60). Results add nuance: Nebraska is 3-0 but against Ohio, Bowling Green and North Dakota, while Michigan State beat Toledo and Eastern Michigan before falling 10-27 at Notre Dame. The series is even at 3-3, though Nebraska took the last meeting 38-27 in 2025. Season simulations project 7.5 wins for Nebraska against 5.4 for Michigan State.

The model prices Nebraska well ahead of the market, and the exchange sits between the two.

Matchup odds
Consensus line · 2 books
Spread
NEB -5.5
Total (O/U)
48.8
Favorite
NEB
Moneyline win probability (implied from the spread)

Real consensus line across 2 sportsbooks. Spread and total are the current market number; the win probabilities are implied from the spread.

Matchup odds price history
The market to win this game · daily prices, colored by the favorite
Nebraska67%-4 ptsvsMichigan State33%+4 pts
0%25%50%75%100%Nebraska favoredMichigan State favoredSep 14Sep 16Sep 18Sep 20Sep 22Sep 23

Real daily prices from the market to win this game, shown as Nebraska's win price; Michigan State's is 100 minus it (the same market's other side). Above the 50% line Nebraska is favored, below it Michigan State is, and each candle takes the favored team's color. Kalshi shows open-high-low-close candles (filled body closed up, hollow closed down). As of Sep 23.

Tale of the tape
Percentile vs FBS · 2025 stats, 2026 SP+
#23SP+SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.#65
#45FPIFPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.#66
1558EloElo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.1409
-Title oddsDe-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.-
NebraskaMichigan Statesolid = better, faded = trailing
What these metrics mean
SP+. SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.
FPI. FPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.
Elo. Elo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.
Title odds. De-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.
Off PPA. PPA (Predicted Points Added): the average point value each play adds. Higher is better for offense, lower for defense.
Success. Success rate: the share of plays that stay on schedule (roughly 50% of needed yards on 1st down, 70% on 2nd, 100% on 3rd/4th). Higher is better.
Explosive. Explosiveness: the average value of a team's successful plays, i.e. how big its good plays are when they hit.
Yards/game. Total yards gained per game.
Success allowed. How often the defense allows an on-schedule play (enough yards for the down). Lower is better.
Havoc. Havoc rate: the share of plays where the defense makes a tackle for loss, forced fumble, interception, or pass breakup.
Yards allowed. Total yards allowed per game. Lower is better.
Efficiency profile
Percentile vs FBS · 2025
Recent series
Series even 3-3
20142025
Head to head
Every meeting in our records
2025
38-27
Nebraska
at Nebraska
2023
20-17
Michigan State
at Michigan State
2021
23-20
Michigan State
at Michigan State
2018
9-6
Nebraska
at Nebraska
2015
39-38
Nebraska
at Nebraska
2014
27-22
Michigan State
at Michigan State
More Week 4 matchups
Model previews for the rest of the slate
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I trade the Nebraska vs Michigan State game?

Kalshi lists winner markets for college football games. Sign up with code FADE (trade $25, get up to $500), open the Nebraska vs Michigan State market when it posts, and buy YES on your side; the price in cents equals the market's implied win probability. You can sell before kickoff or settlement at the current price.

When do Nebraska and Michigan State play?

Week 4 of 2026, on Sep 26, 2026 at Michigan State.

Who is favored?

The model projects Nebraska by 9.8 (72% win probability), from SP+ ratings.

What is the all-time series?

Series even 3-3 over the meetings in our records.

Full schedule → · Both teams' playoff odds, from 10,000 simulations →

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