Michigan-Nebraska Prediction

As we get into the Penn State-Michigan betting odds, it’s worth noting at the open that Penn State’s dream of winning the Big Ten is probably dead.

The Nittany Lions looked like they were well on their way to putting together a resume strong enough to get them into the playoff mix before an injury to Sean Clifford in the second quarter against Iowa torpedoed that.

Now, Penn State is coming off of losses to the Hawkeyes, Illinois and Ohio State, and they get the dubious honor of facing off with a Michigan team that, you know, is doing what we thought Penn State would be doing: Competing for a playoff spot.

Michigan leap-frogged the team that beat them last weekend — Michigan State — but now draws a tough road game against a program whose sole goal in life is to ruin Michigan’s.

So where do you want to have your money invested on Saturday?

Longtime college sports writer Rob Dauster, the co-founder of The Field of 68 and The Field of 12 Network is here to break down the tantalizing matchup and provide the Michigan-Penn State betting odds for Week 11 of the college football season.

Until then, as a NCAA fan, you can check NFL betting odds and get ready to place a bet at BetRivers.

WEEK 11 BETTING ODDS: WEEKEND GUIDE

MICHIGAN-PENN STATE BETTING ODDS:

No. 6 MICHIGAN (8-1) at PENN STATE (6-3)
GAME: 12:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
MONEYLINE: Michigan (-121), Penn State (+100)
SPREAD: Michigan (-1.5)
TOTAL: 48.5

MICHIGAN-PENN STATE PREDICTION:

The biggest issue that Penn State has had this season is with their interior defense. They do not have the big, physical defensive linemen that we are used to seeing out of a Nittany Lion program. They can be run on, which is a really bad thing when facing off with a Michigan program that can run the ball as well as anyone.

Now, Blake Corum left after the first play of the game against Indiana last week, and it’s unclear whether or not he is going to suit up this week. But that doesn’t really matter when Hassan Haskins still exists. You remember him, right? He’s the guy that went for 168 yards and a tuddy on 27 carries in Corum’s absence last week. He’s still there, and to be frank, his kind of physical, downhill running is what can take advantage of Penn State.

If there is something that could end up being a difference-maker here, it will come in the Red Zone. Penn State’s defense has been bend, don’t break, all season long. They are among the best in the country and turning Red Zone opportunities into field goals. Michigan has been as good as any offense at turning Red Zone opportunities into touchdowns. Given the specific matchup issues we’ve discussed, that reinforces to me that Michigan is the deserved favorite here.

Which is why I will be on the Wolverines in this matchup.

I just don’t see how Penn State is going to be able to slow down this ground game.