College football upset picks Week 9: Michigan and 5 teams on upset alert

Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Michigan Wolverines runs to the student section to celebrate a 33-7 win over the Northwestern Wildcats with Erick All #83 and Tristan Bounds #72 at Michigan Stadium on October 23, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 33-7. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Michigan Wolverines (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

College football upset pick Week 9, No. 2: Michigan Wolverines

Rank: 6 | Opponent: at Michigan State | Time: Saturday, Oct. 30, 12 p.m. ET

The Michigan Wolverines are 7-0 and one of three teams that are undefeated in Big Ten play. They’ve been here before under Jim Harbaugh. There’s a reason Michigan hasn’t had a lot of College Football Playoff hype. They’ve burned bettors, fans, and analysts before. Still, they are getting 4.5 points on WynnBet on the road against Michigan State, another team that goes into this matchup undefeated.

Both teams have had remarkably easy schedules to start the year. At least Michigan State scheduled Miami on its nonconference schedule. The Wolverines got lucky that Washington is going through a down season. Both teams have a lot to prove this week, and actual consideration for the College Football Playoff is on the line with the committee putting out its first rankings next week. Still, oddsmakers are giving Michigan 4.5 points on the road. It seems like something is wrong with this line.

Michigan State has an explosive offense that is going to fair well again a Wolverines defense that has gotten used to bottling up opposing rushers. Michigan leads the Big Ten in points allowed with 14, but Michigan State is scoring 34 points per game. Which strength is going to win? Michigan might have to go shot for shot with the Spartans, and there’s nothing saying they can do that after going through a powderpuff schedule so far.

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