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The No. 2 Michigan Wolverines welcome East Carolina Pirates to Michigan Stadium Saturday. Kickoff for the Week 1 game is noon ET (Peacock). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the East Carolina vs. Michigan odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Wolverines come into the season with ultra-high expectations. Jim Harbaugh has a championship-or-bust season on the docket as both his starting quarterback (J.J. McCarthy) and running back (Blake Corum) will return to the team. He has two transfer starting offensive linemen as well. Michigan is No. 2 in the USA TODAY Sports US LBM Coaches Poll.
The Pirates won’t have the same experience, but they will have a few high-caliber playmakers on their roster, including 6-foot-5 QB Mason Garcia, who has played in 12 games in his 3 years with the program. Starting RB Rahjai Harris gained 1,208 yards in his 1st 2 season with 8 TDs, but played in just 5 games last year. The Pirates’ top weapons have experience in the program which should be helpful against a powerhouse like Michigan.
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East Carolina at Michigan odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 3:28 p.m. ET,
- Moneyline (ML): East Carolina +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000) | Michigan -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): East Carolina +36.5 (-110) | Michigan -36.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 51.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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East Carolina at Michigan picks and predictions
Prediction
Michigan 38, East Carolina 6
Moneyline
PASS.
There’s just no value here for either side. Michigan is a top-3 team in the nation and has the experience and coaching to make it to the College Football Playoffs this season. They should dominate this game, but at (-10000), they just aren’t worth even considering in a parlay.
Against the spread
LEAN EAST CAROLINA +36.5 (-110).
Simply put, when this game gets out of hand and it is in the 2nd half, Michigan may not keep the gas on.
East Carolina isn’t a great team, but it is in the American Conference and should have ample size in the trenches to get some traction offensively. Its main weapon will be its running back which should help kill the clock and keep the game within several scores as well.
East Carolina represents a team more like who the Wolverines played to kick off the 2021 season, beating Western Michigan by 33 and Washington by 21. The Pirates are better than Colorado State and Hawaii, who Michigan beat by 44 and 46 to kick off last season.
Expect a battle within 37 points and lean EAST CAROLINA +36.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 51.5 (-105).
The Michigan defense was among the best in the nation last season. The Wolverines allowed 292.1 yards per game, which ranked 5th in the entire FBS. Their defense should again dominate, and they will likely hold East Carolina to single-digit points.
With a championship in mind this season, risking McCarthy and Corum late in a blowout doesn’t make much sense, so Michigan should take the foot off the gas in the second half. Both teams have strong running games and should waste some clock by keeping the ball on the ground.
Put it all together and take UNDER 51.5 (-105).
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