Anyone who watches college football is well aware that the margin for error is very slim, at least for those teams who believe they have a shot at a conference title and a spot in the playoffs. If one of the top teams loses early in the season, they are essentially painted into a corner, as losing again usually means that the National Championship dream is over. While a loss to Notre Dame on the road is not necessarily a season killer, the Michigan Wolverines now find themselves in a position where they need to start racking up some impressive wins, and quickly, especially when you consider just how strong the Big Ten Conference is this season.
The Wolverines certainly have a much more manageable game in Week 2, but a win over the Western Michigan Broncos is not going to register much on the minds of the playoff committee. This week is more about getting some of that swagger back, which they can do if the offense starts ticking and they cover the 28-point spread.
When you look at how awful the run defense was for the Broncos last week, this may be the match-up that the Wolverines running game needs to get kickstarted. Michigan head home where they have won 12 of their last 14, although they have only covered in 2 of their last 9 home games.
Western Michigan vs Michigan NCAA Football Week 2 Lines
Michigan and Western Michigan have a unique history… we first met in 1917.
More about the history and what it will be like to touch that banner on Saturday… 👇#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/tPrq8XroGD — Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) 6 de septiembre de 2018
- When: Saturday, September 8, 12 PM EST
- Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor
- TV: FS1
- Radio: SiriusXM
- Live Stream: Fox Sports Go
- NCAA Football Week 2 Lines: Michigan -28 (Total 56.5)
Youngstown State vs West Virginia College Football Week 2 Odds & Pick
Weather Forecast
- Overcast: 18°C/65°F
- Humidity: 62%
- Precipitation: 0%
- Cloud Cover: 92%
- Wind: 11 mph ENE
- Stadium Type: Open
Why bet on the Western Michigan Broncos?
The Broncos came out on the losing side of things in their season opener, going down 55-42 to the Syracuse Orange. While the loss itself was not totally unexpected, giving up over 600 yards to Syracuse is something that is sure to be more than just a little alarming to the players and coaching staff of the Broncos. It was the run defense that was perhaps victimized the most, as they gave up over 330 yards in that opening week loss. Looking back to last season, this loss now means that the Broncos have dropped 4 of their last 5 games and have covered just 4 times in their last 12. Things are not any better on the road, where they have just 2 wins in their last 7 while going 3-5-1 ATS in their last 9 road games. These teams have met 4 times, with the Broncos dropping all of them by an average of 22 PPG.Why bet on the Michigan Wolverines?
Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines came into this season with some pressure on their shoulders after having a disappointing year in 2017. It was the offense that was so often the issue last season, but the arrival of QB Shea Patterson was supposed to change all that. The Ole Miss transfer did not okay well in a 24-17 loss to Notre Dame in Week 1 and now the pressure in Ann Arbor is palpable. It’s not all on Patterson, though, as the running game only delivered 58 yards in that loss.
When you look at how awful the run defense was for the Broncos last week, this may be the match-up that the Wolverines running game needs to get kickstarted. Michigan head home where they have won 12 of their last 14, although they have only covered in 2 of their last 9 home games.
Latest Western Michigan vs Michigan Betting Trends for NCAA Football Week 2
- Western Michigan is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games
- Western Michigan is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Western Michigan’s last 5 games
- Michigan is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games
- Michigan is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 12 of Michigan’s last 18 games at home
