Week two includes a once great program that is still struggling to get back to its former elite status. Once again, the Michigan Wolverines hype machine served copious amounts of Kool aid this past offseason promising a new look and better results. Yet once again coach Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines failed to deliver the goods on the nation’s biggest stage last week in a loss at Notre Dame. Now discredited yet again the Maize and Blue will play their home opener against the Western Michigan Broncos. Harbaugh and Michigan have much to answer for and may find WMU’s leaky defense the perfect remedy for their woes.
This contest in Week 2 will go down Saturday, September 8, 2018, at 12 p.m. ET at Michigan Stadium. The game can be seen on FS1.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Western Michigan +25.5
Michigan -25.5
Over/Under (Check Back Later)
Odds Analysis
This line has not budged from its opening of Michigan -25.5. Gamblers are downright weary of stepping out on Michigan after last week’s debacle and Western Michigan’s defensive woes are preventing a rush to the betting windows on the dog.
Dazed and Quite Blue
Michigan was touted as the team to watch both in the Big Ten and nationally this past off season. Jim Harbaugh changed the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach while promising a more diversified attack. He changed offseason workouts and nutrition standards. He toned down his social media antics. And transfer quarterback Shea Patterson arrived with great fanfare from Ole Miss. All of the hype got the Wolverines bet up to 2.5-point chalks at Touchdown Jesus. But Michigan was caught unprepared as Notre Dame ambushed them in taking a 21-3 lead before hanging on for a 24-17 win.
Same Old Michigan
For Michigan it was yet another addition to a long list of disappointments. The Maize and Blue have not defeated a ranked team on the road in over a decade. The offense looked as plodding and unimaginative as ever. And the defense was caught flat footed early on. Most embarrassing for Harbaugh was the fact that Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly clearly outcoached him. While Harbaugh is not on the hot seat fans are now facing a crisis of faith and with good reason. Michigan has lost four games in a row for the first time since the hated Rich Rodriguez was at the helm. After four years Harbaugh has failed to develop a powerful offensive line.
Wild Western Michigan Shootout
Western Michigan is coming off a 55-42 home loss to Syracuse as 4.5-point home dogs. The Broncos actually outgained Syracuse 621-560 but quarterback Jon Wassink was intercepted twice although he also threw for 379 yards and three touchdowns. While the offense was all that was expected and more the defense was rendered helpless. This leaves an opening for Michigan.
ATS Trends
Western Michigan has been a reliable double-digit road dog recently with eight payouts in their last 12 road games when getting 10 or more points. Four of their last seven in that role have also gone over the total.
Michigan on the other hand has been a poor betting value as a double-digit home favorite. In fact, the Wolverines have failed to get the money in eight of their last 11 games when laying 10 or more points at the Big House. Six of their last nine in that role also went under the total.
Head to Head
Michigan has come away with the money in their last four meetings against Western Michigan. All four games were at the Big House with the last two matchups also going under the total.
Free ATS Pick
Western Michigan has enough offense to stay within the number. But with the public fading Michigan its not a bad time to take a contrarian chance on the Maize and Blue. Look for the Wolverines to come out smoking. Plus, the own the cashier’s cage in this head to head series. Michigan’s price is much lower than it otherwise would have been had they not lost at Notre Dame.
College Football Odds: Michigan 38, Western Michigan 10
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
