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The No. 8 Michigan Wolverines welcome the Fresno State Bulldogs to Michigan Stadium Saturday for the season-opening game for both programs. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Fresno State vs. Michigan odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Bulldogs enter 2024 with a solid foundation despite changes in leadership following a 9-4 season and a New Mexico Bowl 37-10 victory vs. New Mexico State. Interim coach Tim Skipper takes over after Jeff Tedford’s departure in July, and the offense remains strong with QB Mikey Keene returning after throwing for 2,976 yards and 24 touchdowns his junior year. Key weapons include WRs Jalen Moss and Josiah Freeman, and RB Malik Sherrod.
The Wolverines open defense of their national championship after going 15-0 last season. With coach Jim Harbaugh’s departure, Sherrone Moore takes over. Alex Orji steps in at QB, replacing J.J. McCarthy, who was the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Orji brings dual-threat potential, though he’s untested. The Wolverines lost RB Blake Corum to the NFL — drafted in the 3rd round by the Los Angeles Rams — but returning RBs Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings form a strong backfield duo. Despite a young receiving corps, TE Colston Loveland should be a standout.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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Fresno State at Michigan odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:27 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Fresno State +890 (bet $100 to win $890) | Michigan -1700 (bet $1,700 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Fresno State +20.5 (-104) | Michigan -20.5 (-118)
- Over/Under (O/U): 45.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Fresno State at Michigan picks and predictions
Prediction
Michigan 30, Fresno State 6
Moneyline
PASS.
Michigan (-1700) will take care of business at home in its season opener, but no way you can bet those 17 times the potential return. Take your bet to the spread/total.
Against the spread
BET MICHIGAN -20.5 (-118).
If the spread stays under 21 points, I’m all in on Michigan to cover. Fresno State had a solid 9-4 record last season, but the Bulldogs were only .500 in Mountain West Conference games, and they didn’t face anyone as tough as the Wolverines.
The Wolverines went 15-0 and won the national title, and even though they have some new faces this season and Harbaugh is off to the NFL (Los Angeles Chargers), they’re still strong on defense and feature a solid running game.
Fresno might score a few points, but Michigan’s D should keep the Bulldogs in check. Plus, the Wolverines have been great against the spread lately, going 9-2 in their last 11 games.
So, taking MICHIGAN -20.5 (-118) feels like a smart move.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 45.5 (-110). Michigan’s defense, even with some new faces, should still be a tough nut to crack, and I’m not sure Fresno State will have much luck against it.
On the flip side, Michigan might come out a bit sluggish, which wouldn’t be surprising after a championship season. Plus, the Wolverines have been known to take it easy at times, like when they hit the Under in their first 4 games last year.
With all that in mind, I think we’re looking at a low-scoring game. Taking UNDER 45.5 (-110) seems like a solid bet.
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