College football odds Week 1: How to bet Colorado State-Michigan
Cade McNamara gets the start this week as the University of Michigan plays host to Colorado State University in the first full weekend of college football.
Michigan went 12-2, won the Big Ten championship and made its long-awaited College Football Playoff debut in 2021. Hail to the Victors, indeed.
On the other hand, the Rams were putrid last season, finishing 3-9 and losing their last game by 42 points. Thankfully, they have 12 incoming transfers and hired Jay Norvell, the coach who handed them that season finale drubbing while at Nevada. As 31-point underdogs, there’s a good chance he gets a taste of that medicine this weekend.
Here’s everything you need from a betting perspective on the game between the Rams and Wolverines from the point spread, moneyline and total over/under (odds via FOX Bet)
RELATED: Top plays from Week 0
Colorado State @ No. 8 Michigan (12 p.m. ET Saturday, ESPN)
Point spread: Michigan -31 (MIchigan favored to win by more than 31 points, otherwise Colorado State covers)
Moneyline: Michigan -10000 favorite to win (bet $10 to win $10.10 total); Colorado State +1800 underdog to win (bet $10 to win $190 total)
Total scoring over/under: 61.5 points scored by both teams combined
Michigan went 11-3 against the spread (ATS) and 12-2 straight up (SU) last season, while the over/under was split (7-7). They are 0-0-1 ATS and 1-0 SU against Colorado State since 1994 — where they pushed as 10-point favorites in the Holiday Bowl.
Colorado State went 4-8 ATS and 3-9 SU last season, while the over/under was split (6-6). They are 4-2-1 ATS and 1-6 SU when facing Big Ten opponents since 1994.
Norvell is 7-10 ATS and 3-14 SU when a double-digit underdog in his head coaching career.
Jim Harbaugh is 26-23 ATS and 46-3 SU when a double-digit favorite as Michigan’s head coach.
Pick via FOX Sports Betting Analyst Jason McIntyre:
“Jim Harbaugh, still basking in the glow of last November’s win over Ohio State and the Wolverines’ first college football playoff appearance, is ready for an encore,” he said. “And in recent years, Harbaugh loves to run up the score against inferior opponents in Week 1: 47-14 last year, 49-24 in 2020 and 40-21 in 2019.
“There will be points, that’s why the total has surged from 58.5 to 61.5 in the last week,” he continued. “I lean to the total over the spread because we don’t totally know what to expect from Colorado State, which has a new head coach (Jay Norvell), offensive and defensive coordinators, quarterback (freshman Clay Millen, who came from Nevada with Norvell) and perhaps a dozen starters from the transfer portal.”
“The Rams aren’t going to stop throwing, and Michigan may not either, given Harbaugh’s aggressive nature and the Wolverines’ quarterbacks both fighting to impress the coach. Take the over.”
PICK: Over 61.5 points scored by both teams combined
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