No. 3 Michigan faces its first big test when it takes on No. 10 Penn State on Saturday. The Big Ten suspended Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh for three games, starting with this one, while the NCAA investigated alleged illegal sign theft. Despite all the potential distractions, Michigan has handled business on the field with a 9-0 record and four coverages over the last five games.
Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET at Beaver Stadium. The latest Penn State vs. Michigan odds according to the SportsLine consensus have the Wolverines as a 4.5-point away favorite. The upper/lower limit for total points is 45, 1.5 points more than the opening line. Before you place any tips or bets on the Michigan vs. Penn State game, be sure to check out SportsLine football expert Jimmie Kaylor’s college football predictions and betting tips.
Kaylor is an NFL, college football and DFS expert for SportsLine and has been covering the NFL and college football for nearly a decade as a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. His background as a former college football All-American and NFL player gives him a unique perspective when building his fantasy lineups and determining his betting tips. He has his finger on the pulse of the college football landscape and has made a lot of money over the last two years.
Kaylor has been red-hot all season, posting a 51-22-2 record so far this season in his best college football bets for SportsLine. Anyone who has followed his tips will be at the top.
Now he has his sights set on Michigan vs. Penn State and has just finalized his picks and CFB predictions. You can head over to SportsLine now to see Kaylor’s picks. Here are some college football odds and betting lines for Penn State vs. Michigan:
- Penn State vs. Michigan Spread: Michigan -4.5
- Penn State vs. Michigan over/under: 45
- Penn State vs. Michigan money line: Michigan -205, Penn State +169
- ME: The Wolverines are 4-4-1 against the spread in 2023.
- PSU: The Nittany Lions are 6-2 against the spread in 2023.
- Penn State vs. Michigan picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Penn State vs. Michigan live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why Michigan Can Cover
Penn State head coach James Franklin struggled with elite competition. He has a 3-16 record against top-10 teams during his tenure at Penn State, and those major issues surfaced again when the Nittany Lions lost to Ohio State earlier this season. Franklin also has a combined record of 4-15 against Ohio State and Michigan, so history is largely on the Wolverines’ side in that regard.
Michigan failed to cover in its first four games, but the Wolverines have found another gear since then. The Wolverines are 4-1 ATS since Sept. 30 and narrowly missed reaching 31 points last week against Purdue. Both quarterbacks in this matchup have impressive numbers, but Michigan’s JJ McCarthy has more experience in big games. Penn State’s Drew Allar struggled in the loss to Ohio State, completing just 42.9% of his passes. Find out which team you should pick at SportsLine.
Why Penn State can cover
Penn State has home field advantage and will be the underdog in this game despite their strong overall record. History has shown that home underdogs tend to perform well against the opposition, and the Nittany Lions boast an impressive 6-2 ATS mark this season. Additionally, Michigan is dealing with a massive off-field distraction as Harbaugh was suspended by the Big Ten.
The Nittany Lions are right up there with Michigan in terms of dominance on the defensive side of the ball. The Nittany Lions enter this game ranked second in the country in total yards allowed (234.4) and rushing yards allowed (60.6), third in points allowed per game this season ( 11.9) and 13th in passing yards allowed (173.9). Penn State’s defense will be the best unit Michigan has faced in 2023. See which team you should support at SportsLine.
Here’s how to choose between Penn State and Michigan
Kaylor has analyzed this matchup from all angles and is near the bottom in terms of overall points. He has also discovered a critical X-factor that causes him to jump over one side of the range. At SportsLine, he just shares what it is and which side he supports.
Who will win Penn State vs. Michigan on Saturday and what crucial X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-win? Visit SportsLine now to see Michigan vs. Penn State picks, all from the expert who has covered college football for over a decade and is 51-22-2 with his best bets in 2023 and find it out.