NCAA Football Betting - Michigan vs Penn State line predicts PSU romp
Posted on 10/14/2008 4:04:23 PM
By Blake Frazier
Michigan vs Penn State line: Nitanny Lions out for revenge
- WHO: Michigan Wolverines at No. 3 Penn State (-23)
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WHAT: NCAA football betting
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WHEN: Saturday, October 18 at 4:30 p.m. ET
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WHERE: Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania
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KEY STATS: Penn State is undefeated in its last five games at home
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PICK: Penn State
Penn State and its NCAA football betting supporters are drooling over the opportunity to exact revenge on the Michigan Wolverines this Saturday. After a victory at Ann Arbor last season, Michigan faithful broke into a chant claiming that they “owned Penn State.”
However, Michigan vs Penn State odds suggest that the Nittany Lions will be taking ownership of this rivalry come Saturday.
The Rich Rodriguez era in Michigan has been an absolute failure thus far, both on the field and from a PR perspective. After getting blown out by Illinois, the new head coach decided he’d call out his team, suggesting they were “soft” during a mid-week press conference.
Unfortunately, the Wolverines came out looking like Care Bears once again last week, losing to Toledo—a huge underdog on NCAA football betting lines and only a marginal club in the lowly Mid American Conference.
Meanwhile, Joe Paterno, who was criticized for his “lack of control” over his team, has looked like a genius thus far in 2008. Penn State, normally known as a defense-first squad, has let loose and now boasts arguably the best offense in all of college football.
Quarterback Daryll Clark has led the Nittany Lions to victory by a margin of least two touchdowns in all seven games this season (and a 4-1-1 record against NCAA football spreads). Running back Evan Royster has thrown his name into NFL Draft circles as well, with nine rushing touchdowns, and an average of 102 yards per game.
The Michigan vs Penn State line has the Nittany Lions favored by 23 points. However, considering what Penn State did to Wisconsin last week—a 42-7 massacre—Wolverines fans should be wary of their chances to cover the Michigan vs Penn State spread.
Michigan’s inexperienced offense will have its hands full with “Linebacker U,” and quarterback Steven Threet’s sack total is surely going to rise. The Wolverines simply haven’t provided the pass protection necessary to allow for Rodriguez’s spread offense to work.
Running back Sam McGuffie hasn’t shown any explosive abilities whatsoever, averaging just 3.9 yards per carry, and highly-touted receiver Martavious Odoms hasn’t been able to get open in the end zone.
BLAKE’S PICK: Michigan vs Penn State betting is always exciting, and this is sure to be one of the hottest plays of the week, but don’t over-think this too much.
Sure, Michigan has dominated Penn State over the past nine seasons, but the Nittany Lions are no longer Big Ten whipping boys—they’re BCS contenders.
Joe Paterno could coach this game from his couch if he wanted to—this is one of the easier NCAA football picks of the week. Bet on Penn State.
BetOnline.com’s Sportsbook offers great NCAA football betting odds, lines and props, while the Betting Edge regularly provides free analysis and picks to help with the Michigan vs Penn State line and other great games.
Blake walked onto his college football team and had a
brief stint as an assistant coach after he graduated. He brings a sharp mind to
the world of sports handicapping. Blake understands the nuances of the game
that only someone who has played would understand, and he was one of the few
who gave the Giants a chance against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
