Purdue vs Michigan Picks & Odds: Wolverines Big Chalk In Big Ten Final

Coming off an impressive rout of Ohio State, the second-ranked Michigan Wolverines (12-0 SU, 7-4-1 ATS) are big favorites over the Purdue Boilermakers (8-4, 5-7) in the Big Ten championship game. Michigan has won the last four meetings, but the teams haven’t faced each other since 2017.

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Boilermakers vs Wolverines Sportsbook Odds 

The Wolverines opened as 15.5-point favorites, but that line could be closer to three touchdowns by kickoff Saturday night following their impressive rout of Ohio State. Michigan had already been bet up to 16.5-point favorites at some sportsbooks by Monday morning.

Get the best Purdue vs Michigan odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Second-Half Rally Vaults Purdue Into First Big Ten Title Game

Purdue earned its first-ever berth in the Big Ten championship game with a 30-16 win over Indiana last week, the Boilermakers’ third straight victory after a 3-3 start to conference play. Purdue’s defense held Indiana to just two second-half points until the final play of the game, helping the Boilermakers overcome a 7-3 deficit at halftime.

Offensively, the Boilermakers are led by sixth-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns against the Hoosiers, and receiver Charlie Jones, who caught four passes last week for 143 yards and a major.

The defense has been decent against the run, allowing less than 130 yards per game, but did allow Indiana to gain 166 yards on the ground in the first half alone last week.

Michigan’s Passing Game Shines Without Star Running Back In Lineup

Blake Corum’s status is Michigan’s biggest question going into the Big Ten title game after the Wolverines’ star tailback carried the ball just twice in last week’s 45-23 win at Ohio State. Corum, who scored 19 touchdowns and accounted for more than 30 percent of Michigan’s total yards in the Wolverines’ first 11 games, is dealing with a knee injury.

Fortunately, the Wolverines proved last week that they’re capable of generating offense without him. Sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw three touchdown passes and ran for another, while backup running back Donovan Edwards added a pair of long scoring runs in the fourth quarter.

The 45 points were the second-most Michigan has scored in its last nine games, but don’t be surprised if the Wolverines try to grind out a lower-scoring affair this week. Michigan has gone UNDER the total in nine of its last 11 games as a favorite and in 10 of its last 13 games overall.

Boilermakers: Keys to Win

Purdue’s defense needs to limit big plays against Michigan, which scored five touchdowns on plays of 45 yards or more last week. O’Connell’s experience as a sixth-year senior could also help him against a tough Michigan defense.

Wolverines: Keys to Win

McCarthy’s performance last week should force Purdue to respect the Wolverines’ passing game more, which can create opportunities for Michigan’s third-ranked ground attack. Defensively, the Wolverines have held seven of their last eight opponents to 17 points or less.

College Football Computer Pick: Michigan -16

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