The Michigan Wolverines will close a five-game home stand as the NCAA football betting favorites against the similarly undefeated Michigan Badgers on October, Saturday 2nd at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. Here are the odds for the game at the SBG betting sportsbook:
Wisconsin +10½ (-110) 44½ (-110) +330
Michigan -10½ (-110) 44½ (-110) -410
The Badgers have already gotten a taste of victory against a Michigan college in week 4; the then-No. 8 and currently No. 17 Michigan State Spartans to be more specific. And it wasn’t just any win, either; it was a 30-6 blowout versus the defending Big Ten champions. To add insult to injury, the Wisconsin took the Spartans’ No. 8 spot for themselves – like Brock Lesnar did to Mark Hunt, only without shenanigans.
Badgers QB Alex Hornibrook threw 16 of 26 for 195 passing yards with one TD and one interception in his first start, and running back Corey Clement ran for 54 yards on 23 carries with two scores. On defense, Wisconsin put the screws to Spartans QB Tyler O’Connor and kept Michigan State’s running game from taking off.
The Wolverines sent the Penn State Nittany Lions back to Happy Valley with a much heavier baggage than they came with – 49 points to be exact. QB Wilton Speight threw a TD pass to Devin Asiasi, but otherwise it was Rush Hour in the Big House. Michigan’s running game accrued 326 yards and scored six touchdowns distributed among five running backs. The truth is, though, that the Wolverines overwhelmed the Lions on both sides of the ball, registering five sacks and overrunning Penn State’s o-line.
Michigan cemented themselves at No. 4 with this win and, as mentioned above, are the NCAA football betting favorites against the Badgers on Saturday. Having said that, Wisconsin has already defeated two higher-ranked opponents – the aforementioned Michigan State Spartans, and No. 5 LSU Tiger (whom dropped off the top 10 following a season opening loss to the Badgers).
Coincidentally, the Wolverines have not beaten a top 10 team since the upset Wisconsin 27-25 in 2008 – the largest comeback win in Michigan Stadium history. The Wolverines have lost their subsequent 11 games against Top 10 teams, six of which have been versus the Ohio State Buckeyes.
What does this mean for NCAA football betting fans? On the one hand, the Wolverines would have to snap an 11-game losing streak against top 10 teams on Saturday. On the other hand, the Wolverines couldn’t ask for a better set of conditions to break that streak. First, they reentered the national rankings after 11½ years following last season’s 10-3 record; second, they’re ranking higher than in any of those previous top 10 match-ups; third, their offensive and defensive lines are stacked with talented seniors; fourth they’re coached by Jim Harbaugh.
All things considered, Michigan has looked impressive, averaging 238.0 yards in passing, 229.8 yards in rushing, and 52.0 points per game, and allowing 13.8 points per game against the opposing team. The only caveat is that their schedule has been comparatively easier than the Badgers’, starting with the fact that the Wolverines have not even had a road game yet.