As expected, Michigan is an early favorite over Penn State in next Saturday’s matchup.
Michigan, which is ranked No. 3 and moved to 9-0 with a 28-point win over Purdue Saturday, is favored by 6.5-points per DraftKings Sportsbook.
That’s a significant spread considering the fact that Penn State’s 8-1 and will most likely be ranked in the top 10 of the College Football Playoff Poll when it comes out Tuesday evening and playing at home.
For context, Penn State was only favored by 8.5 over Maryland by the time the game started and ended up winning by 36. The home team is given three points, so many will see Penn State as closer to a double-digit underdog in that sense.
But the hefty spread shouldn’t surprise anybody.
Michigan’s undefeated. Penn State isn’t. Michigan’s the two-time defending Big Ten champions. Penn State hasn’t won the crown since 2016. Michigan’ beat Penn State like a drum in Ann Arbor last season and got a close win in Happy Valley the year before. So until Penn State proves otherwise, Michigan has the upper hand. What Michigan also has, it must be said, are a lot of distractions.
If reports prove to have substance, there’s a good chance Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is suspended this week due to the NCAA’s investigation of Michigan for alleged sign-stealing.
The alleged ringleader of this illegal activity, former UM staffer Connor Stalions, resigned Friday.
There are likely to be plenty of signs (no pun intended) dedicated to Stalions, Harbaugh and the scandal around Beaver Stadium Saturday.
The place will be rocking. That’s for sure. We’ll find out soon enough if Penn State’s good enough to pull an upset.
