This might be the saddest college football viewing experience we see all season. I understand we’re supposed to be thankful this weekend, but it’s hard when the Michigan Wolverines and Penn State Nittany Lions are on national television on Saturday.
Penn State is still winless and really does appear to have given up at this point. Its best players either opted out of this season or are out with injuries. Nothing has gone right for the Nittany Lions, and that is reflected in the statistics, especially offensively where they rank 96th in yards per play. Coming in as one of the top-ranked teams in the country, Penn State has trailed by double digits at some point in its last four games.
It’s hard to say what we have with Michigan. The Wolverines appear to be trying harder than Penn State is at this point, but that’s not saying a whole lot. After a three-game losing skid, Michigan beat Rutgers in three overtimes last weekend. Yes, we’re congratulating Michigan for beating Rutgers. The Wolverines could have a little more life in their offense with Cade McNamara likely to get the start over Joe Milton. McNamara came into the game in relief in each of Michigan’s last two games.
Penn State won the last matchup between these two teams in a 28-21 home victory in 2019.
Game Time/TV Channel/Streaming
You can watch Penn State vs. Michigan on Saturday, November 28th at 12:00 p.m. ET on ABC, or you can stream it here with a cable or streaming service login.
Point Spread, Totals, Odds, Trends
Point spread: Penn State vs. Michigan (-2.5)
Point Total: 58.5
Money line: Penn State (+110) vs. Michigan (-134)
- Penn State is 0-5 straight up this season and has failed to cover the spread in every game.
- Michigan is 2-5 straight up in its last seven games, and it is 1-6 against the spread in that span.
- Michigan is 13-3 straight up in its last 16 games at home including 8-1 at home against Penn State.
Betting splits
Penn State: (52% of handle, 21% percent of bets)
Michigan: (48% of handle, 79% percent of bets)
The Best Bet
After starting out the season at 0-2, I cannot think of a team that has shut it down more than the Nittany Lions. Michigan appears to have a little more life to it than Penn State does, which is why we will ride with the Wolverines. McNamara provided a spark to Michigan, which trailed Rutgers 17-0 midway through the second quarter. He was much more effective than Milton, completing 27 of 36 passes for 260 yards and four touchdowns. I’m not sure it really matters who is starting at quarterback for Penn State on Saturday because this team has given up on 2020.
Pick: Michigan -2.5
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