Michigan vs. Penn State Total Pick
Will No. 2 Penn State and No. 19 Michigan be able to put up some numbers when the two physical, Big Ten foes meet up on Saturday at 7:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Penn State is favored in this game, as the Nittany Lions are getting odds of -9.5 points against Michigan. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 45 points. Michigan has won the last three meetings with Penn State, and the two have hit the over in four of their last five meetings. The public is currently putting 56 percent of the wagers on Penn State at home. Saturday’s game takes place from Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. The game will air live on ABC.
Michigan is coming off a 27-20 OT win at Indiana last week to improve to 5-1 on the season and 2-1 in the Big Ten. The Wolverines are 3-2-1 with the under thus far. The Wolverines are being led by their defense, which is allowing 14.7 points and 223.8 yards per game. However, their offense is a bit of a mess. U-M is averaging just 27.2 points and 376.3 yards per game. With Wilton Speight injured, John O’Korn is taking over and has thrown for 563 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions. Karan Higdon had a big game last week and has 401 rushing yards with five touchdowns this season while Ty Isaac is adding 403 yards.
Penn State is coming off a 31-7 win at Northwestern two weeks ago to improve to 6-0 on the season. The Nittany Lions are 3-0 in the Big Ten and 5-1 with the under. Penn State has a great defense as well, allowing just nine points and 285.2 yards per game. Offensively, PSU is averaging 39.7 points and 456.2 yards per game. Saquon Barkley has been one of the best players in the country, as he has run for 649 yards and six touchdowns while catching 29 passes for 395 yards and two scores. Trace McSorley has 1,597 yards passing with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Bet on Michigan vs. Penn State
The total is being set low due to two great defenses playing against one another. I am not sure the total can be set low enough. Michigan’s offense isn’t looking good and I believe Penn State will be able to stop the run, forcing O’Korn to have to throw. Michigan’s front should be competitive with Penn State and Barkley, but I suspect Penn State will have more success on offense than Michigan, but not enough to hit the over.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: MICHIGAN/PENN STATE UNDER 45