The much anticipated return of Jim Harbaugh to the collegiate coaching ranks has overshadowed the fact that his Wolverines still have plenty of room for improvement. Harbaugh has a history of success, turning around the Stanford program before heading to the NFL for the past four seasons.
Now he’s back at his alma mater, attempting to break an 0-8 ATS skid against Pac-12 foes, the last two of which came against the Utes.
ODDS
Harbaugh has yet to announce his starting quarterback, though the main competitors are aware of the choice. Jake Rudock, a two-year starter at Iowa, has the game experience and likely inside track to the starting job. This has caused some fluctuation in the line which opened at Utah -4.5 and settled at -5. The total surfaced at what is likely a bit high 46.5.
KEY MISMATCH
Michigan’s offense is coming off a season during which sustaining drives was a difficult task. That weakness should change under Harbaugh, but we just don’t know yet. Blake O’Neill or Kenny Allen should change the Wolverines’ punting troubles, but Utah doesn’t need to speculate about anything in that regard. Tom Hackett led the Pac-12 with 46.7 yards per punt, earning first-team All-America honors last season. Field position typically influences the result of close games, and Hackett blasted 25 punts of 50-plus yards last season. Forcing opponents to navigate longer drives doesn’t equate to success, but providing your defense space to bend is useful. Until Michigan proves otherwise, Utah holds a clear advantage in this area.
KEY STAT
Whether its Jake Rudock or Shane Morris, the Michigan quarterback must avoid giving the ball away. Last season, the Wolverines threw 18 interceptions and committed 26 turnovers, which was part of an 11-way tie for 101st in the nation. On a per-game basis, only 12 teams protected the football worse than Michigan. Fortunately, Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Tim Brevno prefer to rely on the running game. That means the quarterback must capitalize on throwing opportunities. He isn’t required to be a playmaker, but he can’t be a non-factor or negatively affect the offense, either.
BETTING ANGLE
As if playing the vaunted Wolverines isn’t motivation enough in what some are calling the biggest non-conference home game in school history, the Utes were armed with pregame fodder when copies of a calendar published by the magazine Popular Mechanics showed up in the Utah locker room last week and got the Utes’ blood boiling. It promoted Harbaugh’s return to college football and called the opener a cupcake game. “It definitely puts more intensity into the game just because of that little statement,” Utah receiver Kenneth Scott said. “And plus, we’re always trying to prove everybody wrong because everybody sees us as the underdog. We always have that chip on our shoulder.” Michigan will be better than the Brady Hoke and Rich Rodriguez eras, which produced just one double-digit win season and one bowl victory in the previous seven years.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Michigan will return to relevance under Harbaugh, who’s been successful at every stop along his coaching career. He gets back to his alma mater and once again thrives at the collegiate level. It will take a bit of time, though, as he works through recruits from the previous regime. With Heisman hopeful Devontae Booker no longer sharing snaps in the Utah backfield, he’ll get his 25-30 touches behind an experienced offensive line. The Utes finished 21st in the final AP poll last season and look to improve on their 9-4 record to be a player in the Pac-12 South. They have the horses to do it. The Utes control the game with their ground attack, stymie the Wolverines defensively and squeak out a hard-fought win.
Utah 23, Michigan 17
BookMaker opened the spread for this game at -4.5 in favor of the Utes. The NCAA lines total surfaced at 46.5. Now you can wager in-game while the action unfolds with BookMaker's live betting option.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet 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 event. Click here and start wagering today! The matchup between the Michigan Wolverines and Utah Utes will take place Thursday, September 3, 2015, at 8:30 p.m. ET at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The contest will be broadcast live on FS1.
