Michigan Season Odds
ANN ARBOR, MI (The Spread) – The Michigan Wolverines got back to their high level of success in 2011. Can they manage to do it again in the 2012 College Football Season?
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Brady Hoke led the Wolverines to an 11-2 record and a BCS Bowl victory in his first season as head coach in 2011. This year, the Wolverines come in with even higher expectations, as Hoke has brought back the “Michigan Man” feel to the coaching staff.
According to oddsmakers, the Wolverines are the favorite to win the Big Ten Championship, as they have been given 7/4 odds, while they also have 11/10 odds to win the Legends Division. When it comes to the 2013 BCS National Championship, Michigan is still a 50/1 long shot. The Wolverines have also been given an over/under of 8.5 wins for the year.
Michigan returns 15 starters this year, including six on offense. The offense is led by Denard Robinson, the speedy quarterback that threw for 2,173 yards and 20 TD’s while rushing for 1,176 yards and 16 scores last season. Robinson is one of the favorites to win the 2012 Heisman Trophy, as he has 7/1 odds, third shortest of any player. Michigan was expecting to rely on running back Fitzgerald Toussaint this year, as he rushed for 1,041 yards and nine scores in 2011, but he is currently suspended from the team for a DUI in the offseason. Hoke has not said how long Toussaint will be out of action, but it could go into the regular season. The offense should also be strong up front this year, as the Wolverines return both tackles, including Taylor Lewan, who is expected to be a high draft pick following his time at Michigan.
On defense, Michigan has seven starters back, including all starting linebackers. The Wolverine defense made great strides last year, going from 35.2 points and 451 yards allowed per game in 2010 to just 17.4 points and 322 yards allowed per game last season. One of the key areas of last season was the secondary, which allowed just 190 yards per game. Three starters are back from that unit.
When looking at the schedule, Michigan opens with the hardest game of any, as they face defending national champion, Alabama, on Sept. 1 in Cowboys Stadium. From there, Michigan faces the likes of Air Force and Notre Dame in non-conference play. Part of the reason oddsmakers like Michigan is their conference schedule, which doesn’t include Wisconsin. Michigan will host rival Michigan State, Iowa and Illinois while heading to the likes of Nebraska and Ohio State. Those two road games will be very tough and Michigan has a four-game losing streak to the Spartans. In order to get to nine wins, they will have to possibly win two of those three games.
For total odds for the Michigan Wolverines for the 2012 College Football Season, see below.
2012 Michigan Season Odds
2013 BCS National Championship Odds: 50/1
2012 Big Ten Conference Championship Odds: 7/4
2012 Big Ten Legends Division Odds To Win: 11/10
2012 Heisman Trophy Odds: Denard Robinson (QB) 7/1
2012 Heisman Trophy Odds: Fitzgerald Toussaint (RB) 140/1
2012 Over/Under Win Total Odds: 8.5
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