Rutgers vs. Michigan Total Pick
Will Michigan be able to put up enough offense when it plays host to struggling Rutgers today at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Michigan is favored at home, as the Wolverines are getting odds of -23 points against Rutgers. The over/under total for the game has been set at 43 points. Michigan has won two of three meetings with Rutgers in Big Ten play and the two have hit the over in all three games. The public is currently putting 55 percent of the wagers on Rutgers on the road. Today’s game takes place from Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan and will air live on the Big Ten Network.
Rutgers is coming off a 14-12 win at home over Purdue. The Scarlet Knights have won two straight two improve to 3-4 on the season and 2-2 against the spread. Rutgers is 4-3 with the under this season overall and 1-1 with it on the road. Rutgers is scoring just 22.6 points and posting just 301.3 yards per game on offense this season. Gust Edwards has 587 rushing yards and five touchdowns to lead the team while Kyle Bolin has thrown for 711 yards with three touchdowns and six interceptions. The team has been giving Giovanni Rescigno more chances under center as well. He has thrown for 199 yards with one touchdown and no picks. Defensively, Rutgers has been able to hold its own at times. The Knights are allowing 23.6 points and 384.1 yards per game.
Michigan is coming off a 42-13 loss at Penn State last weekend to fall to 5-2 on the season and 2-2 in the Big Ten. The Wolverines are just 3-3-1 with the over/under total this season and 2-1-1 with the under at home. Michigan is putting up 25.1 points and 361 yards per game on offense this season. Karan Higdon and Ty Isaac are leading the offense with a combined 855 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. John O’Korn has thrown for 729 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions in place of the injured Wilton Speight. Defensively, U-M is holding opponents to just 18.6 points and 264.1 yards per game.
The over has been the trend in this series, but I think Michigan continues to struggle on offense today. The Wolverines haven’t been able to consistently run the ball and their quarterback hasn’t made enough throws to believe they will put up a big number. Rutgers is likely to struggle with the Michigan defense in Ann Arbor, but I think the Scarlet Knights will be able to stay competitive behind their defense.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: RUTGERS/MICHIGAN UNDER 43