The Michigan Wolverines are hosting the BYU Cougars in college football action on Saturday. The game is scheduled for a noon start time and it will be televised nationally on ABC. Currently the betting odds for the game have the Wolverines favored to pick up the win.
BYU won their opening two games in emotional fashion, getting Hail Mary victories over Nebraska and Boise State. Michigan has started to look like the Wolverines of old under Jim Harbaugh, pounding the football consistently and looking solid on defense.
Yet, after three weeks Michigan is still unranked while BYU sits 22nd in the country. In hosting the Cougars in this one, Michigan still finds itself favored here as BYU plays in the Eastern time zone. This is only the second time the two schools have played, BYU picked up a win in the 1984 Holiday Bowl, securing a national championship for head coach LaVell Edwards. Games like these are great for both schools as even though one team will be dealt a loss, both should be better because of the solid competition. BYU is used to playing tough contests, loading up their schedule every year with power conference squads. Following this one BYU still has to play Missouri as well, but they should be favored in every game outside of that.
The Wolverines want to establish the running game early. They’re averaging 185 yards on the ground per game this season, but they’ve been a balanced offense as well with 194 passing yards per game as well. The Cougars are not nearly as balanced, passing for 310 while running for 121 yards per game. Michigan’s defense has allowed opponents to throw for under 150 yards per contest, which ranks 13th nationally.
Michigan’s defense has been very good all-around, too. They rank seventh in the country in total defense and outside of the opening loss at Utah have only given up a single touchdown the past two games.
BYU has had some luck on their side to date, but that came to an end last week at UCLA. Will they be able to move the football against Michigan?
Free Pick: Wolverines
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