NCAAF Betting – Michigan Sets Out On Important Trip To Indiana

The Michigan Wolverines finally get to the conference portion of their schedule, as they attempt to deliver progress for embattled coach Rich Rodriguez.  Here’s an NCAAF preview and pick.

Michigan Wolverines @ Indiana Hoosiers 
Saturday, October 2nd – 3:30 PM ET 
Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN 
Broadcast: ESPNU 

NCAAF Betting Odds: Michigan -10, Indiana +10 
Total: 66

This is the beginning of a very urgent and critical period in the history of Michigan football, and in the life of head coach Rich Rodriguez. The Wolverines cruised through the non-conference portion of their schedule, but it’s worth noting that two of the teams they’ve beaten – Connecticut and Notre Dame – are much worse than many college football pundits thought they’d be at the beginning of the season. Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson has been spectacular, and he legitimately leads the Heisman Trophy race at this early juncture, but if the Wolverines don’t deliver the goods in Big Ten play, Rodriguez is almost certain to be fired.

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Many Michigan fans actually wouldn’t mind it if Jim Harbaugh or another coach was brought in to replace Rodriguez, but then again, if this 4-0 team can continue to win, the Wolverines probably would welcome the continuation of Rodriguez’s up-tempo offense, which has been a break from Michigan’s power-football tradition. It will be very interesting to see how Michigan handles its conference opener on the road. Indiana came very close to winning at Michigan last year, but a controversial ruling on a fourth-quarter pass went Michigan’s way, smoothing the path for a Wolverine win.

An Indiana receiver and Michigan defensive back Donovan Warren seemed to have simultaneous possession of a pass thrown by Hoosier quarterback Ben Chappell. The simultaneous possession should have given the ball to Indiana, the offensive team. However, the Big Ten officials and replay reviewers both concluded that Warren gained possession of the ball before tumbling to the ground. Indiana coach Bill Lynch memorably took a piece of gum out of his mouth and slammed it to the ground in disgust. We’ll see if Lynch gets the last laugh this weekend in his home stadium. 

NCAAF Betting: What Michigan Has To Do To Win 

Indiana ranks 11th in the nation in passing yards with 304.3 per game. Chappell sliced apart Michigan’s secondary last year in Ann Arbor, and the Wolverines have already suffered substantial injuries in their defensive backfield. Michigan must therefore generate a solid and sustained pass rush that can unsettle Chappell and prevent him from finding targets 20 yards downfield. Michigan’s defense has been very suspect in 2010, and it must answer the call in Big Ten play. 

NCAAF Betting: What Indiana Has To Do To Win

Michigan ranks second in the United States in rushing yards, with 331.3 per game. That total is owed largely to Robinson, who is a devastating open-field runner. Indiana must put a spy on Robinson and emphasize pocket containment. If Robinson breaks free for big runs on improvised scrambles and on planned quarterback keepers, Indiana’s in big trouble.

NCAAF Betting: Outlook & Pick 

Both teams should score a truckload of points in what figures to be a shootout. Michigan has the best player on the field in the form of Mr. Robinson, so the Wolverines should win straight up. However, Indiana will likely score often enough to keep this game under the spread. Take Indiana plus the points. 

NCAAF Betting Pick: Indiana +10