Since taking over for Bill O’Brien, Penn State head coach James Franklin has done a great job turning a solid team into a national contender. The one thing missing from Franklin’s resume is a win vs Michigan. In Penn State’s three games against Michigan with Franklin as head coach, the Nittany Lions are 0-3 SU while being outscored 95-39.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Michigan’s last 5 games against Penn State.
- The visiting team is 1-4 SU and ATS in its last 5 games in this matchup.
- Penn State is 13-1-1 ATS in its last 15 games.
Michigan routed Penn State last season with the Wolverines picking up an easy 49-10 victory. The high-flying Penn State offense was completely shut down, as the Nittany Lions mustered just 191 yards while averaging 3.5 yards per play.
Though the offense features many of the same pieces, this Penn State team seems different. Maybe that’s because Saquon Barkley has cemented himself as the best player in college football. The Penn State running back has racked up 1,044 offensive yards and eight touchdowns through the team’s first six games.
Michigan’s offense is trending in the opposite direction. John O’Korn has been hard to watch since being thrust into the starting quarterback role with the team looking dreadful vs Michigan State and somewhat passable – thanks to Karan Higdon – vs Indiana. Luckily, the defense is still lights out – they are first in yards allowed and eighth in ppg.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Penn State Nittany Lions were listed as 12.5-point favorites at sportsbooks such as Sportsbook on the college football lines menu.
Earlier, OddsShark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game picked a 37-21 victory for the Nittany Lions. That score may change during the week, if injury or weather factors alter the numbers, so check the college football picks page before game time. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.
Michigan Wolverines vs Penn State Nittany Lions Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Penn State Nittany Lions sport a record of 6-0 and 4-1-1 ATS heading into this betting matchup, while the Michigan Wolverines sit at 5-1 and 2-3-1 ATS on the season. The OVER/UNDER totals records are 1-5 for the Nittany Lions and 2-4 for the Wolverines. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Penn State vs Michigan injuries news.
This game matches up the No. 2 (Penn State Nittany Lions) and the No. 23 (Michigan Wolverines) teams in the league, according to our current NCAA football Power Rankings at OddsShark.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Penn State's No. 16-ranked offense, averaging 39.67 PPG, against a Michigan defense that ranks No. 8 this week at 14.67 PPG. The Penn State aerial game is averaging 291.17 yards per game, more than the Michigan secondary allows through the air, 138 YPG per game.
In comparing defenses, the Wolverines own the league's No. 1-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 40.33 yards per game when on the road. Penn State, on the other hand, rates No. 86 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Karan Higdon tore up the turf for 200 rushing yards in the latest Wolverines game, a 27-20 win over the Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium-Bloomington.
Penn State cruised to victory in its last outing, running up a 31-7 score against Northwestern at Ryan Field.
- Michigan is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games
- Michigan is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 17 of Michigan's last 25 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Michigan's last 5 games
- Penn State is 13-1-1 ATS in its last 15 games
- Penn State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Penn State's last 6 games
- Penn State is 9-0-1 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Michigan home to Rutgers, Saturday, October 28
Penn State at Ohio State, Saturday, October 28
