Michigan Wolverines at Purdue Boilermakers
Saturday, 10/6/12, 4:00 PM EST, TV: Big Ten Network
Opening Point Spread: Michigan -3.5
Current Betting Line: Michigan -3
Opening Total: 56
Current Total: 58.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Michigan had a week off after suffering a listless 13-6 loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as six-point road underdogs, but it’s important to note that the squad actually won the statistical battle in that contest. “We know what we have to do,” commented Wolverines offensive tackle Taylor Lewan. “This team’s got a lot of character.” The Wolverines are 43-14 all-time in this series, including a 20-5 mark in the last 25 meetings. Michigan is 5-12 ATS after the first month of the season the last two-plus years.
The Wolverines have won eight of their last nine games following the bye week, which includes a 36-14 win over the Boilermakers as 14-point home favorites last year. Michigan was unable to overcome five first-half turnovers against the Irish, especially with star quarterback Denard Robinson totaling just 138 yards through the air and 90 on the ground. There’s no doubt that the team needs to continue running the football, totaling over 150 yards rushing in the last three games. Robinson plays a major part in that statistic, leading the Big Ten Conference in total offense.
Purdue opens conference play after going 3-1 against non-conference foes, as the team is averaging 51 points per game when playing inside Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers have a legitimate chance of winning the Big Ten this year, considering Ohio State and Penn State are both ineligible to earn that honor. “We can’t worry about anyone else,” stated Boilermakers receiver Antavian Edison. The entire roster is playing with great confidence, especially with the program winning back-to-back games for the first time since 2010. Purdue is 3-3 ATS as a home underdog over the last two-plus seasons, while the “under” is 3-2-1 in that situation.
The Boilermakers own a disappointing 47-64-5 record in Big Ten openers, but have won 12 of 15 since the 1997 campaign. Offensively, the team has been incredibly balanced in front of its fans, gaining 238.7 rushing and 283.3 yards passing. On the other side of the ball, Purdue has demonstrated the ability to get after quarterbacks, entering 25th nationally in averaging 2.8 sacks per game.
Sports bettors will likely play the total, with the Boilermakers going OVER the number in six of their last eight games overall.
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