Michigan Wolverines vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights Point Spread Picks

Undefeated Rutgers isn't getting any respect with this number. Coming into the season, the Scarlet Knights were expected to have a strong defense and they have been great. The defense is allowing 10 points per game and is ranked 19th in the nation in yards allowed per contest. They already have a Big 10 victory over Northwestern, 24-7, and crushed Virginia Tech last week, 35-16, with 256 yards rushing. Rutgers Coach Greg Schiano is 32-16 ATS as a road dog. Michigan has failed to cover its first three games, all at home and all as a huge favorite. Starting QB J.J. McCarthy (7 TDs, 3 picks) hasn't been tested and comes off a shaky performance against Bowling Green with 2 TDs and 3 interceptions. Michigan is 27-49 ATS after scoring 31+ points in back-to-back games while coach Jim Harbaugh is 2-9 ATS at home after his team allowed 17 points or fewer in three straight contests. Play Rutgers.

There is an interesting contrast here for a pair of teams that have started 3-0. Greg Schiano was the coach the last time Rutgers was a viable Big-10 team. Wins against Temple and Delaware may not say much, and while they beat Syracuse 17-7, they were held to 195 yards of total offense and benefitted from three turnovers. Jim Harbaugh started the season on the hot-seat. And while the schedule has not been very difficult, the eye test says this could be the year Michigan gets beyond Ohio State and finds themselves in the playoffs. Both sides of the ball have been elite. Rutgers has grown, but what they will face on the road here is a team that knows how big a win would be here. Michigan has not turned the ball over all season, they have the look of a championship caliber team, and they will prove it at home. Make the play on Michigan.

Michigan continues to be overrated even though it's 0-3 ATS and comes off an embarrassing blowout loss to Wisconsin after eking past Army in overtime. Rutgers is still struggling, following an 1-11 season in 2018, but the Scarlet Knights do have a win under their belts and they come off a 30-16 loss to Boston College. Artur Sitkowski completed 23-of-33 for 304 yards and a touchdown so Rutgers does have some offense. The Wolverines' defense was crushed by the Badgers, who piled up 487 yards of offense, including 359 on the ground. Michigan hasn't covered the number in its last seven games overall, including four home games. The Scarlet Knights have covered the number in six of their last eight games overall and five of their last six when following a loss dating to last season. Rutgers covered as a 36.5-point underdog last season and as a 22-point dog the year before. Michigan is not playing well enough in any phase of the game to be laying this many points. Grab the points with Rutgers.