The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have had a frustrating last couple of weeks, getting blown away by Wisconsin and Ohio State by a combined 80 points. The Michigan Wolverines probably aren't going to make life any easier on them this Saturday.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Would you believe that the Wolverines have only been favored by more than two touchdowns once this season? They're now at two games being favored by more than multiple TDs, getting set at -24 by the oddsmakers. This is now three games in a row in which Rutgers has been a dog by more than two full scores.
The total opened up at 50.
KEY MISMATCH
The ground game for Rutgers has just been nowhere these last two games. Robert Martin and Josh Hicks averaged just 77.5 rushing yards per game in those two duels, and that isn't going to cut it for a team which really has no passing game to fall back on.
Chris Laviano is really just a one-note quarterback. He has Leonte Carroo, who has 527 yards and nine touchdowns, but if he doesn't get open deep, there really aren't a lot of other options for Laviano to get the ball to.
Jim Harbaugh has put together one of the best defenses in America immediately in his first season in Ann Arbor. Jeremy Clark is amongst the leaders of this unit, one which has allowed just 241.9 yards per game and ranks in the Top 10 in America both against the rush and the pass.
KEY STAT
0 – The number of turnovers the Wolverines have forced in their last two games against Michigan State and Minnesota. Michigan has a defense which can shut down the opposition without getting much in the way of turnovers, but going -3 in turnovers in that span is a recipe for disaster.
The Wolverines are lucky they didn't lose both games, though the argument could be made that they easily should've won both games, too and should still be in the CFP mix.
BETTING ANGLE
The key number seems to be 24. When the Wolverines allow 24 points or more, they are 1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS. When they allow fewer than 24 points, they're 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS.
Want another trend to keep in mind? The under is 6-0 in Michigan's last six games against teams with losing records.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
This just feels like one of these games where the Michigan defense takes over once again. It's been a frustrating couple weeks for Big Blue, allowing 26 to Minnesota and 27 to Michigan State, but if the Wolverines' offense and special teams don't give up points, there won't be much for the Scarlet Knights.
The key for the Michigan offense is going to be sticking to the game plan and not forcing Jake Rudock to do all that much. Let the ground game be the hero with De'Veon Smith and company.
There's a reason that Rutgers has been held to a total of 17 points in these last two games against really good teams, and this Michigan defense isn't allowing much either. This should end up being a relatively easy cover for the Wolverines, albeit against a big number.
Michigan 37, Rutgers 10
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Click here, and start wagering today! The battle between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Michigan Wolverines will kick off Saturday, November 6, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. ET at Michigan Stadium. The contest will be broadcast nationally on the Big Ten Network.
