New Vegas Betting Odds: Michigan 10.5 O/U Wins
MLive is reporting that a bunch of new vegas odds are out for the expected win totals for the season.
Highlights for the Over/Under:
Michigan: 10.5
Nebraska: 9.5
Ohio State: 9
MSU: 8
Iowa: 8
http://www.mlive.com/sports/2016/08/college_football_overunder_win.html…
Caveats of course about how betting lines are set not based on real predictions, but on what the odds makers think will yield them a roughly even split on betters taking the Over vs. Under position. But still, I was surprised that Michigan is that high and OSU that low--or at least if Michigan is at 10.5 I'd expect OSU to be at 11. It'll be interesting to see how the line moves over the next few weeks.
Even if we beat them (and our track record in Iowa City suggests that's no gimme), where are the other 3 losses on their schedule?
Home vs. Miami OH, ISU, NDSU, NW, Wisc, Nebr
Road vs. Rutg, Minn, Pur, PSU, Illini
They'll win 9 easy, and maybe 10 or 11. Book it.
I'm glad you mentioned caveats because that has certainly moved the needle in vegas. Rich alum, many alum, a fanbase that has been hungry as hell the last 10 years, harbaugh, etc.
I'd guess that both UM and OSU would be predicted to have roughly the same W/L total. The only game OSU is likely favored to lose is the one with Okla. But, they also travel to MSU and then obviously play UM, which should be close games and could go either way. UM should be favored in every game except the one with OSU, with additional difficult games at Iowa and MSU. From what I can see they both have identical predictable W/L totals and the swing game is the one where they play each other.