Colorado State Rams vs. Michigan Wolverines odds predictions pick betting line spread

The Colorado State Rams and Michigan Wolverines open their seasons Saturday at Michigan Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET (ABC). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Colorado State vs. Michigan odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

The Rams kick off the Jay Norvell era Saturday at The Big House. Norvell comes over from Mountain West rival Nevada, and he brings QB Clay Millen and WR Tory Horton with him. The Rams offense should be much more explosive than the 2021 version which averaged just 23.7 PPG.

The Wolverines won the Big Ten Championship Game last season for the first time, as well as making its first-ever trip to the College Football Playoff. Michigan lost a lot of talent to the NFL ranks, but expectations are still very high for head coach Jim Harbaugh’s squad.

This is just the second all-time meeting between these teams. Michigan won the first meeting 24-14 in the 1994 Holiday Bowl in San Diego.

Michigan is ranked No. 6 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

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Colorado State at Michigan odds

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:05 a.m. ET.

Money line (ML): Colorado State +1400 (bet $100 to win $1,400) | Michigan -4000 (bet $4,000 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Colorado State +30.5 (-105) | Michigan -30.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 61.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Colorado State at Michigan picks and predictions

Prediction

Michigan 41, Colorado State 20

Money line

Don’t bother with Michigan (-4000) on the money line, as this is a lot of risk for not very much reward. In fact, you must risk $100 for every $2.50 won, and that’s just silly as a long-term betting strategy.

AVOID.

Against the spread

COLORADO STATE +30.5 (-105) is going to be a better bet under Norvell this season, but there won’t be an upset here. Still, the Rams have an adequate offensive attack, and if the defense can be better than the 2021 version, Colorado State could hang around within 4 touchdowns.

Michigan lost so much on both sides of the football that it might take a little while to jell and get its sea legs before pulling away in the 2nd half of the season.

Over/Under

UNDER 61.5 (-110) is the lean in this opener.

Norvell takes over the reins as the head coach in Fort Collins, and he brings some new personnel and new schemes. The Rams might take a while to generate some consistency.

The Under is 4-1 in Colorado State’s last 5 tries against the Big Ten, while the Under is 4-1 in Michigan’s last 5 in The Big House, and 4-1 in its last 5 non-conference tilts, too.

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Last week was just a tease with a few college football games. Now, it’s time to enjoy a smorgasbord of college pigskin action with a full slate on deck for Week 1.

Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the NCAA football week 1 schedule , and make our best expert college football picks and predictions.

While there will be a lot of focus on Saturday’s marquee primetime showdown in Columbus between No. 5 Notre Dame and No. 2 Ohio State, there are some hidden gems on the schedule to cash in on some winners. Rankings courtesy of the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Below, I give you my top 3 plays of the weekend.

Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+

Best college football bets for Week 1

– All games listed are Saturday and ET

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:34 a.m. ET.

Colorado State at No. 6 Michigan – Noon (ABC)

The Colorado State Rams are coming off a dismal 3-9 season, leading to a regime change. Former Nevada coach Jay Norvell is now in charge, replacing Steve Addazio. Norvel brings some help from Nevada, too, as QB Clay Millen and WR Tory Horton joined their coach in making the move from Reno to Fort Collins. Millen and Horton could be one of the more unheralded pass-catch combinations in the Mountain West this season.

After flirting with a return to the NFL, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is back in Ann Arbor, but both coordinators are new. The Wolverines (0-0) made the CFP last season, but lost a ton of talent on both sides of the ball, including Heisman finalist Aidan Hutchinson. The offense should once again be solid, but the Rams might be able to move the ball, especially through the air, keeping this one well within the 26.5-point spread.

Pick: Colorado State +30.5 (-115)

No. 25 Houston at UTSA – 3:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

The UTSA Roadrunners were one of the nicer stories of the 2021 college football season, attaining its 1st ranking in program history, while also picking up its 1st win against a Power 5 opponent (Illinois). UTSA fizzled a bit down the stretch, going 1-2 in the final 3 games, and 1-4 against the spread (ATS) in the final 5 outings, including a 14-point loss to San Diego State in the Frisco Bowl.

The 38-24 setback to the Aztecs was largely due to the team missing RB Sincere McCormick, who opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft. It was a sneak peek into what to expect in 2022, as the offense will miss its biggest weapon.

Coach Dana Holgorsen’s Cougars won 12 games a season ago, and this team is expected to be a high-octane offense again in 2022. Look for the Cougars to roll.

Pick: Houston -4.5 (-110)

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Kent State at Washington – 10:30 p.m. (FS1)

The Kent State Golden Flashes were one of the more prolific offenses in the Mid-American Conference in 2021. With the departure of QB Dustin Crum, the Flashes turn to QB Collin Schlee. Kent State shouldn’t miss a beat. The skill positions are littered with a ton of talent to keep the chains moving at a dizzying clip again in 2022.

Washington begins the Kalen DeBoer era after the Huskies really hit rock bottom in 2021. UW finished 4-8, including a loss to FCS Montana in the season opener. DeBoer takes over the reins after coaching Fresno State for 2 years. Brittle QB Michael Penix Jr., who played for DeBoer at Indiana when the coach was the offensive coordinator and QB coach in 2019, transferred in from Bloomington and hopes to lead the Huskies in his reunion with DeBoer.

It’s unlikely Washington loses its opener for a second consecutive season, but Kent State has the weapons to make things awfully uncomfortable for the Huskies.

Pick: Kent State +22.5 (-110)