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Maryland vs. Michigan Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 4

By Reed Wallach

Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the offense against the Connecticut Huskies
Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the offense against the Connecticut Huskies / Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Big Ten play starts for both Michigan and Maryland in Ann Arbor, what should we expect?

Michigan has been dominant against three of the bottom of the barrel teams in the nation thus far and now opens up Big Ten play against a talented opponent in Maryland. The Terps are off a win against SMU as small home favorites, but will they be able to hold up against a talented Michigan?

Let's check out the odds from FanDuel Sportsbook with the Wolverines installed as three score favorites:

 

Maryland vs. Michigan Odds, Spread and Total

Maryland vs. Michigan Betting Trends

  • Maryland is 1-5 against the spread (ATS) against top 10 teams under Mick Locklsey
  • Michigan is 24-17 ATS as a home favorite under Jim Harbaugh
  • Michigan is 31-28 ATS in Big Ten play under Harbaugh

Maryland vs. Michigan Prediction and Pick

This game was discussed on The Early Reed this Tuesday as both myself and Cody Williams shared the sentiment.

We both liked Michigan quite a bit in this spot. While the Wolverines haven't been challenged just yet against a cupcake schedule. This is a notoriously difficult spot for Locksley's Terps to handle. He has lost to top 10 foes by an average margin of 38.6 points in six tries, going 1-5 ATS and 0-6 straight up.

Maryland has talent, especially quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, but he also is susceptible to make bad decisions on the field. He completed nearly 70% of his passes last season, but also tossed 11 interceptions. This season, he has completed 77% of his passes with six TD passes, but also has two INTs to his name.

Michigan's defense may not be as great as the College Football Playoff team from last year, but they should roll at home. The offense is far more dynamic with J.J. McCarthy taking over as the full time starter.

SMU was on the field for 96 plays and outgained Maryland by nearly 100 yards. The Terps won by seven and were able to hit far more explosive plays, but this Michigan defense is going to limit that with four cornerbacks that have starting experience.

While Maryland will struggle against the step up in competition, the Michigan offense should hum against a dreary Terps D that struggled to get off the field against the Mustangs last week. I expect a strong outing from the Michigan rushing attack that has capable backs such as Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum, in addition to McCarthy.

It's not a perfect comparison, but Michigan closed as a 16-point road favorite and blasted Maryland 59-18. Knock the Wolverines a bit, sure, but upgrade Maryland enough to make this the almost same number and flip locations?

Go Blue.

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