Wow, what a difference a week makes. In their first game at Notre Dame the Michigan Wolverines were ambushed in a Week one 24-17 loss that had the Maize and Blue faithful in full panic mode about what was supposed to be a breakout season for Jim Harbaugh and crew. But last week, after six days of abuse from the media and fans, and smarting from their embarrassing opener Michigan took apart Western Michigan 49-3 for an easy payout. Now all of a sudden everyone has calmed down and is again dreaming big. Week three will see the Wolverines host the defenseless SMU Mustangs, who are also missing an offense after two weeks of action.
This contest in Week 3 will go down Saturday, September 15, 2018, at 3:30 p.m. ET at Michigan Stadium. The game can be seen on Big Ten Network.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
SMU +35
Michigan -35
Over/Under (Check Back Later)
Odds Analysis
With Michigan mauling a decent Group of Five team in Western Michigan last week and with SMU truly ranking as one of the worst programs in college football it’s no surprise that the Maize and Blue are laying big lumber. SMU has ZERO public appeal and Michigan is one of the most popular teams in the game that just got some self-respect back.
Recent Form
Michigan is 1-1 both straight up and against the spread with both of their games going under the total. In last week’s home opener against Western Michigan the Maize and Blue held a 451-208 total yards edge. Transfer quarterback Shea Patterson was 12/17 for 125 yards and three touchdowns. Karan Higdon ran for 156 yards on 13 carries with one TD. Chris Evans ran for 86 yards on 10 attempts and two touchdowns.
SMU is 0-2 both straight up and against the spread with both of their games going under the total. After getting clobbered at North Texas 46-23 in week one the Mustangs lost their home opener 42-12 to TCU last Friday night.
Coaching Angle
Sonny Dykes is in his first year as head coach of SMU after getting fired by Cal following the 2016 season. Dykes was always an odd fit at Cal in being a Texas country boy at the ultra-liberal hipster school. Dykes did put together prolific passing attacks that produced 2016 NFL top draft pick quarterback Jared Goff but his defenses were non-existent. Dykes inherits a program that has always been soft and thin since it came out of the Death Penalty in 1989.
Jim Harbaugh was a Michigan quarterback that was seen as the perfect fit when he took over for the 2015 season. Harbaugh has improved the program and does beat the teams he should beat. His problem is lack of success against ranked and top tier teams. Harbaugh was under intense fire after the Notre Dame loss as many believe he has not done enough to fix the perpetually bad offensive line. The season must progress to determine how well Harbaugh has done in moving Michigan up to where many believe it should be.
Key Trends
SMU has been a weak double-digit road dog with just three payouts in their last nine in that role. Four of their last five as double-digit road dogs went over the total.
Michigan has paid in three of their last five games as a home favorite of 30 or more points with four of their last six in that role going under the total.
Free ATS Pick
Michigan showed how dominant they can be against Group of Five competition last week. Further, the Wolverines played with a full chip on their shoulder and it showed. They really opened up a can. Now they face an outmanned SMU team that ranks 119th for scoring offense and 124th for scoring defense. The Mustangs have just begun a rebuild under Sonny Dykes. Michigan is fine tuning for a Big Ten run.
College Football Odds: Michigan 49, SMU 7
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!
