NCAA Football BETTING PREVIEW - Michigan Wolverines @ Penn State Nittany Lions

NCAA Football

2023-11-11 - Michigan Wolverines at Penn State Nittany Lions

A Sports Betting Preview by FirstDown

#3 Michigan Wolverines @ #10 Penn State Nittany Lions
United States : NCAA Football Week 11
Saturday 11th November 2023 - Scheduled 12pm
5pm (British Time)

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Preview

Off field issues continue to cloud over the Michigan Wolverines (9-0) and the allegations of 'sign stealing' have to be answered sooner than later. However, it looks increasingly unlikely that a decision will be made before the end of the season and the Wolverines are still set as the Number 3 Ranked team with their own destiny in their hands.

Much is going to come down to the big rivalry game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the end of the month, but it is important for the Wolverines to maintain an unbeaten run through to that game.

Next up is a difficult looking game against the Penn State Nittany Lions (8-1) who are still Ranked in the top ten having only suffered a narrow loss to the Buckeyes. Penn State were only 8 point losers on the road at the Buckeyes, but they were well beaten in the yardage battle and the Nittany Lions will have to find a way to move the ball if they are going to upset a very good looking Michigan team.

Being at home should help, although the Nittany Lions are just 5-4 against the spread as the home underdog with James Franklin as their Head Coach.

A big issue for the Penn State Nittany Lions is going to be trying to establish the run and make things a bit more comfortable for Drew Allar, who was restricted to 191 passing yards against the Ohio State Buckeyes and had a 18/42 completion rate that day. It was a tough day running the ball for the Nittany Lions against the Buckeyes and they are not expected to get a lot change out of the Michigan Defensive Line in Week 10.

That's not to say throwing the ball is going to be any easier and Drew Allar will be under pressure if the team is behind the chains. After scoring just 12 points in the loss to the Buckeyes, the Penn State Nittany Lions may have a few issues doing much better in this one against what many may feel is the best Defensive unit in the nation and certainly in the Big Ten.

What will give the Nittany Lions a chance of the upset is their own Defensive Line which has been a strength of the team and who largely clamped down on the Ohio State Buckeyes on the ground. Last season Penn State were bashed up on the ground by the Wolverines, but they are expected to have more success in this one and that will shift the pressure onto Michigan Quarter Back JJ McCarthy.

However, McCarthy is in the running for the Heisman Trophy and the Wolverines will have noted that Kyle McCord, the Buckeyes Quarter Back, was able to throw for 286 yards in the win over Penn State. JJ McCarthy has found a very good rhythm with his Receivers, while the Nittany Lions Secondary have had some holes exploited in recent games.

The Nittany Lions can disrupt things with their pass rush, but the feeling is that JJ McCarthy and the Michigan Wolverines will make the plays that ultimately leads to the road win.

Michigan have dominated the opponents this season- some will say because of the sign stealing allegations- but they are facing a Ranked team for the first time. Over the last couple of years, Michigan are 5-3 against the spread against those opponents, while they have beaten the Nittany Lions twice in a row including the blowout at home last season.

Playing on the road is a much different challenge, but the feeling is that the Wolverines can make enough Defensive plays to restrict the Penn State Nittany Lions and they can win this one by a similar margin as the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Prediction

Lay the points with the road favourite in a tough environment.

The Pick :

Penn State Nittany Lions 10-20 Michigan Wolverines

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Michigan Wolverines - 4 Points at -118 with BetOnline