Michigan at Penn State odds, picks and predictions
The No. 2 Michigan Wolverines (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) and No. 9 Penn State Nittany Lions (8-1, 5-1) meet Saturday in a showdown at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon ET (FOX). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Michigan vs. Penn State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Friday afternoon, the Big Ten suspended Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh for the rest of the regular season for a sign-stealing scheme. Within hours, Harbaugh and the university filed a request for a temporary restraining order.
If granted before Saturday's noon ET kickoff at Penn State, Harbaugh will be coaching on the field. The odds were not affected with this news.
In their last game, the Wolverines failed to cover as 31.5-point favorites despite picking up a 41-13 victory over the Purdue Boilermakers a week ago. Heisman hopeful QB J.J. McCarthy completed 24 of 37 passes for 335 yards, but no TDs. Michigan rushed for 110 yards and 5 TDs against Purdue.
Penn State covered as a 7.5-point favorite in a 51-15 rout of the Maryland Terrapins Saturday. QB Drew Allar went 25 for 34 passing with 240 yards and 4 TDs while the Nittany Lions' rushing attack added 158 yards and 2 TDs. Penn State will have to clean up some sloppy errors for this matchup as it was penalized 7 times for 76 yards vs. Maryland.
Michigan is No. 2 and Penn State is No. 9 in the US LBM Coaches Poll powered by Paste BN Sports
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Michigan at Penn State odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:12 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Michigan -210 (bet $210 to win $100) | Penn State +170 (bet $100 to win $170)
- Against the spread (ATS): Michigan -4.5 (-110) | Penn State +4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 45.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Michigan at Penn State picks and predictions
Prediction
Michigan 17, Penn State 14
Moneyline
PASS.
The Wolverines should be able to pick up the win here, but a -210 favorite is not worth the risk of betting on. Bet on the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
LEAN PENN STATE +4.5 (-110).
The Nittany Lions were able to stay within 1 score of Ohio State in its lone loss of the year, and I see that team as slightly better than this Michigan squad. Michigan has yet to be truly tested this season and I expect them to get out to a slow start. Both teams are very stout defensively, and that makes this bet even more favorable as the lower the score, the more difficult it will be for the Wolverines to cover.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 45.5 (-115).
These are 2 of the best defenses in the nation as both are in the top 3 for opponent points per game allowed, total yards allowed, and opponent yards per game allowed. Penn State held a very strong Ohio State offense to only 20 points, despite the defense being gassed due to being on the field for a majority of the game. Michigan has yet to allow an opponent to score more than 13 points, and even though this is its 1st real test, I don't see this team allowing more than 20 here.
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