Online betting players know that the dual-threat quarterback is a big thing in college football, and Michigan’s pivot burst onto the stage with a brilliant performance in their opening week. The Wolverines will now take their show on the road to South Bend, where Notre Dame will be concocting ways to stop him, but they’ll go in vain.

• What: NCAA football betting
• When: Saturday, September 11th,
• Where: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN
• Pick: Michigan +3.5

What’s On The Line

It’s Michigan-Notre Dame, what else do you need to know? The two have played 37 times since 1887, with Michigan winning 21 and there was a tie in 1992. The Wolverines won 38-34 last year in an exciting matchup, and both teams are coming into this game with momentum after big wins in Week 1: the Wolverines rolled to a 30-10 romp of Connecticut, while the Fighting Irish dropped Purdue 23-12.

 

Offensive Matchups: Michigan Notre Dame Betting

Denard Robinson was a one-man wrecking ball against UConn, accounting for 383 of Michigan’s 473 yards. 197 yards came on the ground and set a record for Michigan quarterbacks, and if the Fighting Irish are going to have a chance of stopping the Wolverines, it all starts with Robinson. The Wolverines also held the ball for almost 37 minutes, and that will be something that they’ll look to do against the Fighting Irish.

New coach Brian Kelly was known as an offensive genius at Cincinnati, and while the Fighting Irish didn’t exactly light up the Boilermakers with 358 yards, you can see the potential, especially in Dayne Crist. The junior was 19-of-26 for 205 yards and a touchdown, and as he gets more comfortable with the system, he’ll take some more chances down the field. Armando Allen added 93 yards and a score for Notre Dame.

Betting Edge: Draw

Defensive Matchups: Michigan Notre Dame Betting

The Michigan defense had their work cut out for them as they were on the field for over 35 minutes, but they stopped the Boilermakers on 11 of 15 third-down chances, and they forced a turnover. The Wolverines did give up an average of 4.6 yards per carry, which is worrying, but it doesn’t matter if you have a big lead because teams are forced to throw. The Michigan secondary even held up, but Notre Dame’s offense will be a tougher test.

Like Michigan, Notre Dame jumped out to a big lead, which forced the Boilermakers into aerial mode. The Fighting Irish were great on third down, stopping the Boilermakers on 12 of 17 chances, and they faced a quarterback similar to Robinson in Robert Marve, although Robinson is a much bigger threat with his legs. The Fighting Irish are going to have to tackle better if they want to stop the Wolverines on Saturday.

Betting Edge: Draw

 

Notable Injuries: Michigan Notre Dame Betting

Rover Carvin Johnson (knee) and receiver Roy Roundtree (internal) will miss this rivalry game for the Wolverines.

The Fighting Irish should have a clean bill of health in this game.

Betting Edge: Notre Dame

Outlook and Pick: Michigan Notre Dame Betting

NCAA football betting players have the Fighting Irish as a 3.5-point favorite at home, where they’ve beaten the Wolverines in four of their last five meetings. The key factor in this game will be Robinson, and how he handles the hostile environment of South Bend. The Notre Dame defense showed a couple of holes last week, and Michigan will look to take advantage of that. The Wolverines are going to have to get some pressure on Crist, get him to move around the pocket. Michigan probably has more to play for as coach Rich Rodriguez can’t take many losses this year without his job being in severe danger. Take Michigan for the sports betting upset on the road.

Blake’s Pick: Michigan