Middle Tennessee vs. Michigan Total Pick
Can the No. 7 Michigan offense put up enough point to hit the over when the Wolverines take on Middle Tennessee this Saturday at 7:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
195 Middle Tennessee vs. 196 Michigan
Saturday, August 31, 2019
7:30PM ET – Michigan Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network
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Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Michigan is favored heavily in this game, as the Wolverines are getting odds of -34.5 points against Middle Tennessee. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 54 points. The public betting currently has 73 percent going on Michigan as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Blue Raiders a CUSA contender
Middle Tennessee is a strong Conference USA team. The Blue Raiders were 8-6 last season and 7-1 in the conference, losing in the title game to UAB. Rick Stockstill enters his 14th season as head coach of Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders were 8-6 against the spread last season while going 7-7 with the over/under total.
Middle Tennessee has an offense that averaged 28 points and 393.4 yards per game last season. However, the team has just three starters back on offense. Ty Lee is the only skill-position player of note back. He led the team in receiving with 71 catches for 883 yards and seven touchdowns. At QB, Asher O’Hara and Chase Cunningham have battled for the new starting QB position. Both saw very limited action last season. Defensively, Middle Tennessee gave up 26.7 points and 377.9 yards per game last season. The Raiders have five starters back on defense, including four in the front seven.
Big season for Michigan
The Michigan Wolverines are coming into a big season as they are a preseason favorite in the Big Ten and haven’t been able to get the job done under Jim Harbaugh. He enters his 5th season as coach of Michigan and is coming off a 10-3 record in 2018 where it went 8-1 in the Big East. The Wolverines were 6-7 against the spread last year and 8-5 with the over.
Michigan’s defense was really strong last year, allowing just 19.4 points and 275.2 yards per game. Their pass defense ranked second nationally, allowing just 147.8 yards per game. The defense has five starters back this year, including two in the secondary. Offensively, Michigan put up 35.2 points and 419.5 yards per game. Shea Patterson is leading the offense this year after throwing for 2,600 yards and 22 touchdowns. He has some talented receivers back this year as well as Nico Collins and Donovan Peoples-Jones combined for 85 receptions and over 1,200 yards. Michigan will have to address its run game after losing Karan Higdon, who rushed for nearly 1,200 yards. Michigan has four starters back on the offensive line, though, so it should be an easy transition to a new starter.
College Football Betting Trends
Middle Tennessee
The Blue Raiders have hit the over in four straight road games and in five of their last seven games on fieldturf.
Michigan
The Wolverines have hit the over in four straight games in August and in 19 of their last 27 home games.
Prediction:
Michigan is not a powerful offense in most sense, as it tends to be more pro style. However, Michigan tends to really light up these lesser programs in non-conference play. They put up 49 points on Western Michigan last year and 45 on SMU. The Wolverines are likely to have success against Middle Tennessee’s defense, especially at home. The Blue Raiders will likely struggle on offense early, but find enough points to hit the over in this one.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: Middle Tennessee/Michigan Over 54