Penn State football: Michigan Odds, Injury Report and Predictions

Penn State football faces its toughest test of the season on Saturday when Michigan arrives in Happy Valley. For betting odds, it will be the second time this season that the Nittany Lions will enter as an underdog. This game will push Penn State towards the front of the College Football Playoff discussion with a win and eliminated from it with a loss. It appears that James Franklin could be getting one of his biggest stars back from injury, which could boost a potential upset bid. Can the Nittany Lions beat the odds and get a win against Michigan football?

Injury Report (Based on the previous week’s official Big Ten availability injury reports)

Penn State:

Alonzo Ford, DT – Out for the Season

Smith Vilbert, DE – Out for the Season

Landon Tengwall, OL – Medical Retirement

Chop Robinson, DE

Mehki Flowers, S

Elliot Washington II, CB

Harrison Wallace III, WR

Amin Vanover, DE

Michigan:

Davis Warren, QB

CJ Stokes, RB

Keshaun Harris, DB

Amorion Walker, DB

DJ Waller Jr., DB

Kalel Mullings, RB

Betting Odds:

Spread:

Penn State football (+4.5) vs. Michigan

James Franklin’s Nittany Lions enter Saturday’s matchup as 4.5-point underdog. The line opened with Michigan as a 5.5-point favorite and has moved in the Nittany Lions favor. Penn State football is 7-2 ATS this season. Michigan football is 4-4-1 ATS this season.

Penn State football moneyline: +164

Placing a $100 bet on Penn State to knock off Michigan would pay $176. Michigan football leads the all-time series 16-10. Michigan is currently on a two-game winning streak in the series. Last year, the Wolverines came away with a dominant 41-17 victory in Ann Arbor. The last game in Beaver Stadium resulted in a 21-17 win for Michigan.

Penn State vs. Michigan over/under: 45

The total has gone over in 6 of 9 games for Penn State football to start the season, and has gone over for 4 of Michigan’s 9 games this year. The total has gone over in 6 of Penn State’s last 7 games when playing at home against Michigan.

Penn State football vs Michigan game predictions: (11-4)

This is the week that will determine whether James Franklin and Penn State football can take the next step and become a legitimate contender. Michigan is most likely the best team that Penn State will face all season.

While the Nittany Lion defense has been great this year, the offense has left more to be desired. But Drew Allar and the offense showed some improvements last week against Maryland. Were those actual improvements, or just beating up on a Terrapins team that has quit?

Penn State will need to play an almost flawless game to pull off the upset this weekend. The home crowd will certainly help, but starting fast is a must if the Nittany Lions want to win this game.

The offensive line is going to have a tough challenge, but needs to establish the run game if Drew Allar is to find success against the Michigan defense. I don’t think you can pick Penn State football to win a big game like this until it proves it.

As far as a betting pick, I think Penn State keeps it close early, but ultimately Michigan pulls away in the 4th quarter for the win. Michigan hasn’t allowed many points this season, but when it has, the average length of a touchdown is 44 yards. Penn State has struggled all season with creating big plays and driving the length of the field continuously against the Michigan defense will be a tall task.

Looking at the betting odds, take Michigan -4.5, but the first half will dictate whether Penn State has a chance to cover or win the game. I think the under 45.5 is also the play in this game because both defenses will exceed expectations and keep it close in the first half like what we saw in Penn State vs Ohio State.

Prediction: Penn State 10 – Michigan 21

Big Ten bet of the Week: (4-5)

Iowa vs Rutgers (U28.5), 3:30 p.m. BTN

One is lucky, two is a fluke, and three is a streak, right? I guess that means I am officially on a hot streak with the Big Ten bet of the week because thanks to Iowa and Northwestern’s horrific offenses, we have now won three games in a row.

After a record low total of 29.5 between Iowa and Northwestern last week, the Hawkeyes are at it again and this week a new record betting odds, with the total set at 28.5. Naturally, you just must take the under in this game and just hope that both of these horrible offenses finish with a similar 10-7 finish. Betting Iowa unders is a tradition unlike any other.

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