For a team listed as one of the preseason favorites to win the National Championship, there is perhaps nothing worse than losing a game early in the season. While the loss may not end up being the one that kills the season entirely, it does mean that the team with the loss needs to be perfect the rest of the way, which usually means making it through a grueling conference schedule. Some conference roads are more obstacle-filled than others, and you can certainly argue that the Big Ten schedule is one of the toughest to traverse.

The Michigan Wolverines are on that path right now, as they try to recover from a stunning loss taken earlier in the season. It can be argued that the toughest games on their schedule are still to come, starting this weekend when they will head to University Park to face the Penn State Nittany Lions. A loss here would be the end of the road for the Wolverines in their quest for a Big Ten title. The bookies don’t seem to fancy their chances, installing them as a 9 ½ point underdog. The point total for this one is set at 46 ½.

Michigan vs Penn State 2019 College Football Week 8 Odds & Pick

• When: Saturday, October 19 at 7:30 PM EST
• Where: Beaver Stadium, University Park
• TV: ABC
• Live Stream: ABCSports.com
• College Football Week 8 Odds: Penn State -9.5

Why bet on the Michigan Wolverines?

Everyone was very quick to write off the Wolverines after their 35-14 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers earlier this season, and for good reason. They had barely escaped a couple of games prior to that one, so it wasn’t altogether surprising to see Michigan fall when they finally had to face a very good team. They have responded very nicely, though, reeling off 3 straight wins, including a 10-3 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes, who were ranked #14 at that time.

Bookending that win was a pair of victories where the offense finally showed up, with the Wolverines hitting Rutgers for 52 and Illinois for 42 points. Despite their issues, Michigan is still 11-2 SU in their last 13 games versus conference opposition and are also 4-1 SU in their last 5 games versus Penn State.

Why bet on the Penn State Nittany Lions?

The goal for the Penn State Nittany Lions right now is rather clear, which is that they need to win this one to keep pace with the Ohio State Buckeyes in the race for a division title and a shot at the Big Ten Championship Game. They have been solid this season, going a perfect 6-0 through their first 6 games and surviving a bit of a scare in a 17-10 win over Pitt a few weeks back.

Other than that game, though, the Nittany Lions have been making it look easy, but they will also know that this might just be their toughest game yet. Penn State is 7-0 SU in their last 7 games at home, while also being 8-3 ATS in their last 11 October outings.

Michigan vs Penn State Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

Both of these teams are trying to catch Ohio State, which means that they both need a win here if they are to put any pressure on the Buckeyes. As well as Michigan has been playing of late, I think they are up against it on the road. I am on the Nittany Lions to win and cover.

College Football Week 8 Prediction: Michigan Wolverines 20 Penn State Nittany Lions 33