With every head coaching job in college football, there is a tremendous amount of pressure attached. We now live in a time where coaches aren’t really given a lot of time to turn things around and build a winning team. This is especially true with the bigger programs, where head coaches are handed multi-million-dollar contracts with expectation that winning, and championships will soon follow. It is perhaps why we see so many coaches entering the new season already in the hot seat, as they have failed to live up to the lofty expectations that their contract suggests.
There are a few big-name coaches sitting in that seat as we head into Week 1 of the college football season, with Jim Harbaugh at Michigan perhaps being up near the top of the list. Harbaugh was seen as a dream hire, and while he turned the program around quickly, an inability to get past Ohio State has seen this teams progress stall. Harbaugh and his troops will open the new season at home against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. The Wolverines are a 34 ½ point favorite, with the point total set at 54.
Middle Tennessee vs Michigan 2019 College Football Week 1 Betting Lines & Pick
- When: Saturday, August 31 at 7:30 PM EST
- Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor
- TV: BTN
- Radio: SiriusXM
- Live Stream: BTN+
- College Football Week 1 Betting Lines: Michigan -34.5 (Total 54)
Georgia Southern vs LSU 2019 College Football Week 1 Odds & Analysis
Weather Forecast
- Partly Cloudy: 23°C/73°F
- Humidity: 61%
- Precipitation: 20%
- Cloud Cover: 62%
- Wind: 9 mph ENE
- Stadium Type: Open
Why bet on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders?
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, who represent Conference USA, have made a habit of giving themselves a tough schedule to open their season. Last year, they had a pair of games against SEC foes lined up in the opening 3 weeks. They lost 35-7 to Vanderbilt in the season opener, before being pounded by Georgia in Week 3 of the 2018 season.If you take those losses, as well as another to Kentucky late in the season, out of the equation, the Blue Raiders had a good year, albeit one that ended in a loss to UAB in the C-USA Conference Championship Game. The Blue Raiders are 0-7 SU in their last 7 meetings with Big Ten opponents and are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 Week 1 games.
Team Stats
Offense- Points per Game: 28.00
- Passing Yards: 259.93
- Rushing Yards: 128.79
- Yards per Play: 5.52
Defense
- Points per Game: 26.71
- Passing Yards: 213.21
- Rushing Yards: 165.07
- Yards per Play: 5.45
Why bet on the Michigan Wolverines?
As we mentioned at the top of this piece, there is a definite sense that patience is beginning to wear a little thin with coach Jim Harbaugh. Michigan is a massive program that has been out of the National Championship picture for too long, and while the Wolverines have gotten some of their swagger back under Harbaugh, they are going to remain out of the playoffs until they can figure out how to beat Ohio State.
The Buckeyes are transitioning with a new head coach and a new QB this season, so might this be the year for the Wolverines? Michigan have won 7 straight games at home and should have no problem making it 8 on Saturday. They are also 5-1 SU in their last 6 games played in the month of August.
Team Stats
Offense- Points per Game: 35.15
- Passing Yards: 215.69
- Rushing Yards: 203.77
- Yards per Play: 6.08
Defense
- Points per Game: 19.38
- Passing Yards: 141.77
- Rushing Yards: 133.38
- Yards per Play: 4.58
Miami (OH) vs Iowa 2019 College Football Week 1 Spread, Game Preview & Pick
Middle Tennessee vs Michigan 2019 College Football Week 1 Betting Trends
- Blue Raiders are 0-7 SU in their last 7 games against an opponent in the Big 10 conference
- Blue Raiders are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games played in August
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Middle Tennessee’s last 6 games played on a Saturday
- Wolverines are 7-0 SU in their last 7 games at home
- Wolverines are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games played on a Saturday
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Michigan’s last 7 games played in week 1
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Middle Tennessee vs Michigan
This is another one of those games where we need to look at the spread as opposed to the SU pick, as Michigan are almost certainly going to win this one without breaking too much of a sweat. Since they will be looking to set the tone early this season, look for a big win.Score: Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 10 – Michigan Wolverines 45
