3. Michigan at Minnesota
LINE: Michigan -3.5
ATS PICK: Michigan
– Bet on this, BetMGM latest line
We don’t know what these Big Ten teams are going to look like, and we don’t know in what kind of shape they’re in. So what do we have to work on with Michigan and Minnesota?
Minnesota has one of the nation’s most efficient passers in Tanner Morgan under center, and it has NFL wide receiver Rashod Bateman back in the mix to go along with Chris Autman-Bell.
It has a good starting 22, the coaching is fantastic, it’s at home, it’s probably going to snow, and it’s going to get grindy and ugly.
Michigan is starting Joe Milton on the road against a good team. It’s his first real action with the pressure on, however, the Wolverine lines should be able to take over.
If this gets sloppy in any way, Michigan has the running game to batter its way through this. The talent level is better, the defense should be way better, and so far in the era, Jim Harbaugh doesn’t lose these types of games. If he does, that usually means the team on the other side is outstanding.
And then there’s that whole history factor, for those of you who care about these sorts of things.
It’s the first time the two have played for the Little Brown Jug since a 33-10 Michigan win in 2017. The last time Minnesota won was 2014, but the last time the Gophers won at home in this ridiculously lopsided trophy game – at least over the last several decades …
1977.
And you’re only giving up 3.5 points for the privilege.