Michigan vs. Michigan State Odds & Preview: Bettors Targeting the Total in Rivalry
Leon Halip/Getty Images. Pictured: Jim Harbaugh.
Michigan vs. Michigan State Odds
| Michigan | -4.5 |
| Michigan State | +4.5 |
| Moneyline | -190 / +160 |
| Over/Under | 50.5 |
| Time | 12 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
| Odds according to BetMGM as of Wednesday. | |
No. 6 ranked Michigan will head to Lansing to face No. 8 ranked Michigan State for a rivalry game between two undefeated teams that will help decide the future of the college football landscape.
It's the most wagered-on college game on the docket this weekend.
And bettors are hammering the under.
At BetMGM, about 89% of the money is on the under at 50.5. The total had opened on Sunday at 51 before it fell half a point.
The Wolverines rank No. 2 in the country in points allowed per game with 14.3. Only Georgia — by far the best defense in the country — has allowed fewer points per game. Michigan's defense is assuredly elite.
Michigan State's defense, meanwhile, is more of a mixed bag. While they lead the Big Ten in sacks with 26, they're next to last in the conference in total yards allowed. Only lowly Northwestern has more yards given up per game than the Spartans in the Big Ten.
Still, bettors expect the Michigan State defense to step up and make this hated rivalry game a grind-fest. Plus, these two teams rely heavily on their rushing attacks, which will help keep the clock ticking and limit possessions.
The Wolverines are fifth in the country in rush yards per game with 253.3, led by a two-headed monster in senior Hassan Haskins and sophomore Blake Corum. Michigan State also has a top-ranked running attack that is anchored by Heisman candidate Kenneth Walker III, who is averaging over 142 rushing yards per game.
The under has hit in three of the last four matchups between the squads. The only over that hit was in 2019, when Michigan blew out Michigan State 44-10.
In the three games the under has hit, it has gone under the total by one, 10.5 and 14 points
Meanwhile, the public also loves Michigan State's spread in this matchup. About 77% of the money at BetMGM is on the Spartans as +4.5-point underdogs. That line had opened at Michigan State +3.5 before lengthening earlier this week.
Similarly, about 81% of the money is on Michigan State's moneyline at +160.
While the loser of this game will be effectively knocked out of the College Football Playoff race, the winner isn't guaranteed a spot, either. The winner between Michigan and Michigan State will still need to beat Ohio State — and that's just to solidify a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Michigan State is slated to head to Columbus to take on the Buckeyes on Nov. 20. Meanwhile, Michigan will host Ohio State at the Big House on Nov. 27 in what may be one of the most important games in recent history between the hated rivals.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is 0-5 against the Buckeyes since taking over the program in 2015. The Wolverines haven't beaten Ohio State since 2011, while Michigan State's last victory over the Buckeyes was in 2015.
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