Utah Michigan Picks
We all know what happened to Michigan in last year’s season opener, a shocking loss to Appalachian State. That Michigan team was favored to win the Big Ten Conference too. A weaker Michigan team opens the 2008 college football season against a Utah program which is expected to challenge BYU for the Mountain West title. Michigan’s much-anticipated season opener with the Utes takes place on Saturday, August 30th at 3:30 EST and can be seen on ABC. Jimmy Boyd’s Utah/Michigan preview looks at the college football odds on this game and provides further insight to help you better handicap the matchup. The Michigan Wolverines are listed as field goal favorites at JustBet Sportsbook.
Quick Payouts and Reduced Juice Betting at the Pig!
This could be the most interesting season opener we have seen at Michigan in quite some time. Head coach Rich Rodriguez will be rallying the troops (not Lloyd Carr) and a spread attack will step foot where only power running games have tread. Rodriguez brings a very impressive track record with him into the big house. Seven successful season at West Virginia saw him win 60 of 86 games. If it weren’t for a loss to Pitt in the 2007 season finale, Rodriguez’s Mountaineers would have been playing for the national championship.
Despite starting the 2007 season with consecutive losses, the Wolverines rebounded to go 8-4, capping off the season with an impressive 41-35 win over the Tim Tebow led Florida Gators in the Capital One Bowl. While we expect the offense to be up and down as players try to find their way with Rodriguez’s spread attack, the defense should still be there for Big Blue. Michigan held Penn State and Ohio State to 9 and 14 points respectively and shut out the Notre Dame Fighting Irish a season ago. The pass defense was superb, ranking second in the Big Ten and eighth nationally (178.9 ypg). If Michigan is able to get past Utah, it will be because of this side of the ball. Terrance Taylor, Second Team All-Big Ten selection last season, is the guy to watch for. He is already in Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski Award watch lists. Defensive end Tim Jamison, Michigan active leader for sacks and tackles for loss, and safety Brandon Harrison, are two more big time players to watch for.
The length of Rodriguez’s honeymoon in Ann Arbor is anyone’s guess, but he’d better make sure he stays competitive with the Utes or things could get ugly in a hurry. You can bet the Michigan Wolverines at -3 at The Pig Sportsbook.
Like Michigan, Utah also started out with back-to-back losses to begin its 2007 campaign and rebounded to win 8 of 12 games. The Utes capped off their season with a 35-32 win over Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl. These teams last met in Ann Arbor back in 2002 and Michigan squeaked out a slim 10-7 win.
The Offensive MVP of last year’s Poinsettia Bowl, Brian Johnson returns to the field to try to lead the Utes past Michigan, end eventually past Mountain West Conference favorite BYU. Johnson is the active leader in the MWC in total offense with more that 5,600 yards. Michigan will have to be ready for him both as a passing and running threat.
Utah’s defense was very strong last season, ranking fifth nationally in terms of points allowed (16.85). Second team All-MWC performaner defensive back Brice McCain is the player to watch. Defensive lineman Paul Kruger was a beast as a freshman with 63 tackles and three fumble recoveries. This game could come down to witch defense is more dominant. You can bet the Utah Utes at +3 to win at Bookmaker Sportsbook.
Michigan has a lot to play for to put last season’s embarrassing home opener on the backburner, but we can’t be all that surprised if Utah pulls off the upset.
Predicted Score:
Michigan 22
Utah 19
For more college football picks see what are experts are offering up this weekend.
