You're not going to find a team which has put more fans and bettors into cardiac arrest this year than the BYU Cougars. They've played three incredibly close games and are 3-0 ATS as underdogs, and they have another shot to pull off some magic at the Big House this Saturday against the Michigan Wolverines.
WHEN THE BYU COUGARS HAVE THE BALL
There's going to be a point when we recognize that Tanner Mangum is more than just a miracle worker who can throw some Hail Maries. He hung in there on the road against what is a legitimate Top 10 team in UCLA and went 30-of-47 for 244 yards. Yes, he only threw one touchdown, and the 23 points on the board was just merely not enough, but here's the stat you really have to love: 40:37. That's how long the Cougars had the ball in that game against the Bruins.
In fact, the Cougars have dominated time of possession for the most part this season, and they are going to have to continue to do so in this one. Michigan is a grind it out team, and it is going to want to make sure it has the ball more often than the Cougs do, but live bettors should be aware that Mangum isn't going to let that happen.
Bronco Mendenhall deserves all the credit in the world for keeping the game simple for Mangum and not asking him to do all that much in the passing game outside of his miracle plays against Boise State and Nebraska.
Do keep in mind that Michigan has outgained teams on the ground by 162 and 166 yards these last two weeks and has held UNLV and Oregon State to seven points apiece, but it's reasonable for live bettors to believe that this will end up being a much different game against a significantly harder foe.
WHEN THE MICHIGAN WOLVERINES HAVE THE BALL
Jim Harbaugh is trying to make the Wolverines look more like the Bo Schembechler men in maize and blue than the recent versions we have seen who have tried to spread teams out. Jake Rudock isn't a prototypical pro passer, and he is turning the ball over far too often, but he is showing improvement. In fact, we expect to see the Wolverines improve with every game this year, which is about all the Big Blue Nation can expect at this point.
Harbaugh is going to try to put Rudock in a position to succeed and move the ball methodically up and down the field, and though De'Veon Smith is averaging just 3.9 yards per carry, he has been effective for our money as a grinder on the inside.
Just keep in mind that Michigan only has two receivers, Amara Darboh and Jake Butt who have more than five receptions this season, and neither man is averaging even a dozen yards per catch. If the Wolverines are going to score, they're going to do it with long drives, not short spurts, which is why under bettors have to at least be intrigued in live betting.
TREND TO TRACK
There's a lot of talk that BYU could just as easily be 3-0 SU as 0-3 SU, but we want to focus in on the total. We know that Michigan is a great under team at 3-0 this season, but the Cougs could be, too. If not for Hail Maries against both Nebraska and Boise State, the latter of which also needed a pick six in the dying seconds to cross the total too, BYU would be 3-0 for under backers, too. Instead, the team is 2-1 and feels like a lot higher scoring of a team than perhaps it really is.
The college football odds for this game were available first at BookMaker Sportsbook at the Michigan Wolverines -5. Gamble on the game at every commercial with BookMaker's live betting feature. Along with an adjusted spread and total, you can wager on what will happen on the next drive. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting every. Click here, and start wagering today! Kick off for the game between the BYU Cougars and the Michigan Wolverines is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. ET at Michigan Stadium. The duel can be seen live on ABC.
