Before the season started, many bookmakers put the over/under for the Michigan vs Penn State game at 67 points. Well, the first game went under, but there’s still a chance the total could reach 70 points.
However, the betting lines are always subject to change, and they’re frequently updated to match the latest odds. So, if you’re looking to place a wager on the game, check back often to see if the lines have been adjusted.
What’s the Current Odds?
For the Michigan vs. Penn State game, you’ll find a variety of online bookmakers currently have the over/under set at 67 points. This is good news for bettors interested in laying low-balls on the game. Remember, the over/under determines the amount of money you’ll need to wager to win. So, if you’re looking for low-priced bets, go with the over/under.
Additionally, if you’re looking for a long shot, you can find a lot of value betting on the under. The key is finding a bookmaker confident enough in their line to offer those kinds of odds. Unfortunately, many sportsbooks don’t update their lines as frequently as you’d like, so you’ll have to check in with other websites to find the latest odds.
Key Points To Remember
One key point to keep in mind if you’re planning on placing a wager on the Michigan vs. Penn State game is the line isn’t set in stone. Just because the numbers are adjusted doesn’t mean the teams will automatically win. It’s always a possibility the lines can and will change. However, in most cases, you can find the previous lines and apply them to the current odds.
Also, the Michigan vs. Penn State game is one of the most popular contests every year, and it has all the makings of a classic rivalry. The game pits two of the most prestigious universities in the country against each other. It also pits two of the best football teams against each other. So, it should come as no surprise the lines are set high. This will likely always be the case for this game.
If you want to know more, check out our Michigan vs. Penn State prediction page. On this page, we’ll provide our analysis on the top plays in the matchup.
Top Trends
One of the fun things about following college football is keeping up with the trends. One such trend we’ve noticed this year is more players are going under the radar and seeing more playing time. One player in particular, San Diego State defensive lineman Damon Arnette, had an excellent game last week, and it wasn’t even noticed. Arnette recorded three tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. He also blocked a punt which led to a 38-yard return for a touchdown. It was his first career game with multiple touchdowns and he became the 13th player in the FBS this year to accomplish that feat.
Additionally, we’ve noticed a trend this year of freshmen seeing time on the field. A lot of players are stepping up and assuming larger roles, and that’s contributing to the longer length of games. The average game this year is lasting an entire 90 minutes. That’s a whole 10 minutes longer than it was in 2018. This year’s games are also averaging 4.8 plays per game, which is up from 4.3 plays per game last year. It’s clear more players are willing to take a chance this year and see how it goes. Maybe it’s the novelty of the position, or maybe it’s the confidence their coaches have in them. Regardless, more and more players are emerging as leaders this season, which is great to see.
Current Predictions
Looking at the trends and focusing on the 2019 Michigan vs. Penn State game makes it seem like the former should pull the upset. Both Damon Arnette and Mike Gesicki are likely to have big games, and although Penn State has a slight edge in the head to head matchup, Arnette is more valuable to the San Diego State defense. San Diego State has struggled in recent years, but they always find a way to pull off a couple of upsets each season. For example, in 2018 they beat Michigan and Purdue, two teams they should have beaten much more easily. In the 2019 season opener against Miami, Arnette was crucial in limiting the damage the Canes would have done if he didn’t step in and make key plays. Similar to Arnette, Michigan’s Michael Ferns had an excellent game against Ohio State as well. Merely mentioning the names of these two players will tell you which team is more likely to upset a ranked foe this season.
However, this isn’t to say Michigan and Ferns are insignificant teams. They’re both top 25 worthy squads, so don’t sleep on either of these games. The key is predicting which team is more likely to win, and considering both of these games are on the road, it’s pretty clear-cut. Penn State is traveling to Ann Arbor this week, and although it won’t be an easy task, the Lions should pull off the upset.
Over/Under Betting
If you’re looking for a simple wager with high odds of success, you can’t go wrong with an over/under bet. Simply put, you’ll either win or you lose based on the total number of points scored in the game. If the total is over the number of points you wager on, you’ll win money. If the total is under the number of points you wager on, you’ll lose money. Those are the simplest and the most popular types of bets available. Unfortunately, most sportsbooks will only offer even odds or better, meaning you won’t be able to find the exact opposite of an over/under bet. For example, if you wager on the over, you cannot bet on the under. Most places that offer football odds will only allow you to bet one of the two options (over or under).
Top Plays
One of the things that make sports betting different from other activities is the opportunity to lay money down on specific plays. For example, if you’re a huge Michigan fan and the Wolverines are playing against a team you think they’re going to win, you might want to put money down on a certain pass play. Maybe it’s a run up the middle or a quick pass to a wide open receiver. The plays aren’t predictable, but they are possible based on the circumstances. In the 2019 season, it’s possible to lay money down on any play and know you’ll get your money back (plus some if the play goes your way).
However, not all plays are created equal, and it’s important to understand which ones are most likely to succeed based on the situation. For example, if you’re backing Michigan and you see they’re playing against a terrible Penn State team, it might not be a good idea to wager on a pass play that requires the quarterback to make a high percentage of his passes. It might be better to lay money on a run play just to move the ball down the field and score a touchdown before the end of the game.
It’s also important to look at the trends as well to get a better idea of which plays are coming up most often this year. Using research from Doc Hudson, author of the popular Football Lads blog, we’ve compiled a list of the top plays from this year so far.
Top Offense Top Defense Bottom Line
Looking at the top plays from both the offense and defense, it’s pretty clear which side of the ball is struggling most this year. The 2019 season so far has seen a lot of one-sided games with an offense or a defense winning by a large margin. There have been some close games, with the offense or defense needing to make a play at the end, but for the most part, it’s been an all-or-nothing venture for either side.
This trend seems to be headed in a negative direction as well. In 2018, only 11 out of the 30 games saw the defense outscore the offense. This year, it’s already happened in the first quarter of the season, and it’s continued all the way through. In Week 6, the Arizona State defense outscored the OSU offense 21-0. In Week 7, the LSU defense scored 21 points against the Vanderbilt offense, while the Commodores managed only seven points. Last week, the BYU defense scored 17 against the Minnesota offense, which is the lowest point total scored by an opposing defense against an undefeated team this year.