The SMU Mustangs and No. 19 Michigan Wolverines will go head-to-head on the turf at Michigan Stadium. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and Big Ten Network will broadcast the action.
SMU Mustangs vs. Michigan Wolverines Betting Preview
Michigan is the heavy favorite and is currently giving up 36 points to SMU. Vegas hasn’t determined what the game’s over/under (O/U) will be yet. There will likely be some good in-game betting opportunities in this showdown.
The Mustangs are 0-2 against the spread (ATS) and are down 1.0 unit so far. They’ve been a good under bet and have recorded an Over-Under mark of 0-2. The Wolverines have lost 1.6 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 1-1 ATS and also have an O/U record of 0-2.
The Mustangs are 0-2 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Wolverines are 1-1 SU.
The Mustangs are still looking for win No. 1 after a 42-12 loss to TCU last week where Ben Hicks completed just 18-of-38 passes for 111 yards. Braeden West (78 yards on 11 rush attempts, one TD) spearheaded the ground attack. James Proche (six receptions, 50 yards) and Myron Gailliard (four catches, 23 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Michigan just got a 49-3 win over Western Michigan. Shea Patterson completed 12-of-17 passes for 125 yards and three touchdowns. Karan Higdon (156 yards on 13 rush attempts, one TD) and Chris Evans (86 yards on 10 carries, two TDs) spearheaded the running game as Donovan Peoples-Jones (four receptions, 31 yards, one TD) and Sean McKeon (two catches, 23 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
SMU’s run the ball on 45.2 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Michigan has an overall rush percentage of 55.7 percent. The Mustangs have rushed for 68 yards per game and have two touchdowns on the ground this year. The Wolverines are totaling 183 rushing yards per game and have four total rush TDs.
It seems like the Wolverines could hold an edge when it comes to effectiveness in the ground game, since their backfield has generated 5.4 yards per carry while their defense has allowed 2.9 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Mustangs have ran for 2.6 yards per carry while allowing 3.7 YPC to opponents.
The Mustangs offensive scheme has averaged 182 yards in the air overall and has two passing scores so far. The Wolverines have recorded 196 pass yards per game and have four total pass TDs.
SMU has allowed opponents to run for an average of 158 yards and pass for 304 yards per game. The Michigan defense has allowed 127.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 127.5 yards per game to opposing runners. The Wolverines are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 2.72 to opposing QBs, while the Mustangs have given up a 7.70 ANY/A.
Offensively, Hicks is up to 111 passing yards this season, and has completed 18-of-38 attempts with zero passing scores and has yet to throw an interception. Hicks has a 2.17 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 4.34 over the last two games.
Braeden West (78 rushing yards, one rush TD, 14 receiving yards on the year), James Proche (50 receiving yards) and Reggie Roberson, Jr. (8 receiving yards) have each played big roles of late.
Shea Patterson has completed 12-of-17 passes for 125 yards, three TDs and zero INTs for Michigan. His ANY/A sits at 9.39 for the year and 6.25 over his last two outings.
We expect the Wolverines to control the game’s pace by feeding the running backs early and often. Nico Collins (44 receiving yards, one TD this season) has contributed lately, but Karan Higdon (156 rush yards, one rush TD) and Chris Evans (86 rush yards, two rush TDs, zero receiving yards) have delivered significant production to the Michigan offense.
Betting Prediction: SMU Mustangs at Michigan Wolverines
SU Winner – Michigan, ATS Winner – SMU
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Notes
Both passing attacks have produced two pass plays of 40+ yards. The Mustangs have have made three pass plays of 30+ yards while the Wolverines have accounted for two such plays.
Both defenses have allowed one pass play of 40 yards or more and one pass play of 30+ yards.
The SMU offense has created one rushing play of 20 yards or more, while Michigan has created four such runs.
The Mustangs defense has allowed zero rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Wolverines have given up two such runs.
The Michigan defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks four times this season. SMU has registered two sacks.
*****
