Eastern Michigan Eagles vs Michigan Wolverines Point Spread Picks

The Wolverines are once again off a win vs. Notre Dame as the current win streak has reached three. Expecting a letdown? Forget it. Michigan needs every win they can get. Two years ago after knocking off the Irish, they played this same Eastern Michigan team and won handily and got the cover as well. They also faced EMU six years ago, following Notre Dame and beat them 55-0, so no letdown here. The Wolverines are 5-1 ATS following Notre Dame. E. Michigan is 10-30 ATS in their last 40 non-conference games adn 4-14 ATS in their last 18 road games following a home win. They are also 10-22 ATS in their last 32 as a road underdog of more than three touchdowns. Eastern Michigan might be 2-0 vs. the likes of Howard and Alabama State, but those games did little to prepare them for the impressive Michigan attack. The last seven times the Eagles have ventured out to play a team from a BCS Conference, they have been beaten by an average of 35.7 points per game. I don't expect anything less in this one - Michigan rolls.

As we all know, Michigan had a very disappointing year a season ago, but Rich Rodriguez has been known for some big turnarounds when he reaches his second season. After taking out a powerful Notre Dame last week, optimism is running high. Often these are good fade situations for a big favorite off an important win. But not in this case. I think Michigan is motivated and will deliver once again here. The biggest change at Michigan is where they thought they'd be hurting and that is at the QB position. The difference is a phenom named Tate Forcier. Forcier was highly touted out of high school where he completed over 70% of his passes, but stepping up the way he did as a freshman and leading his team for a game-winning score against a national powerhouse shows they have a gem. Forcier picked apart a good Notre Dame defense going 23-33 and 240 yards. The only question to be answered in this one is not if Michigan can cover the big number against a lowly cross-town rival, but will they show up after a big emotional win? After last season's humiliation, this team has a BCS Bowl mindset and won't be taking the week off. A peek at the last four years says a letdown is not coming as Michigan is a perfect 4-0 after Notre Dame including upset wins vs. Wisconsin and Penn State over that span. Do you think those are games they had to show up for because they were big games? Then how about four years ago when after Notre Dame they were a prohibitive four TD favorite against, guess who? Eastern Michigan. The final score was Michigan 55 - E. Michigan 0. Enough said. Michigan rolls here.