The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-0) and No. 19 Michigan Wolverines (3-0) meet Saturday in their Big Ten Conference opener at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Rutgers at Michigan odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Scarlet Knights have been impressive in three wins, including a 61-14 win in the opener Sept. 4 vs. Temple, and 45-13 vs. an FCS Delaware last weekend. In its only road test, Rutgers passed, 17-7, at Syracuse as 2.5-point favorites, and they’re 3-0 against the spread (ATS).
The Wolverines, No. 19 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports, are also 3-0 ATS to date, including a 63-10 beatdown against Northern Illinois. Michigan is averaging 514.7 total yards per game while rolling up 350.3 rushing yards per contest.
Rutgers at Michigan odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 4:01 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Rutgers +750 (bet $100 to win $750) | Michigan -1400 (bet $1,400 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rutgers +20.5 (-112) | Michigan -20.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 50.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Rutgers at Michigan odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Michigan 34, Rutgers 20
Money line
Michigan (-1450) will cost you 14.5 times your potential return, and as well as they have played during the non-conference schedule, that’s way too much risk against a fellow unbeaten conference team.
AVOID.
Against the spread
RUTGERS +20.5 (-112) is worth a look catching more than 20 points. The Scarlet Knights have been good enough offensively, but it’s the defensive side of the ball where they have excelled. Rutgers is allowing just 261.7 total yards per game, and they have yielded just 11.3 PPG.
Michigan -20.5 (-108) will certainly score in this one, especially at home, but Rutgers +20.5 (-112) is easily the best team they have seen so far, and yes, that includes Washington.
Over/Under
OVER 49.5 (-112) is the lean, but only make a small-unit wager on this one. Both of these teams have allowed just 11.3 PPG to date. Still, this is the conference opener, and not a game against an FCS foe or a MAC opponent, so you can expect a little more in the way of points here.
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