Sponsor Note: The 2017 Saturday Edge BIG TEN Betting Prospectus
The gamblers are always a good resource for me to get a sense of what teams are good. Coaches don’t pay attention to things they don’t need to, and other bloggers, though closer to the situation, also get caught in our own echo-chambers. But when it comes to the bettors, the dispassionate siren of money erases a lot of those biases and extends the amount of caring.
I particularly like the guys at Saturday Edge because they pay us to let you know when their annual Big Ten betting prospective is out. I feel for them on this one because every time they were about to release it Michigan State needed updating. The Michigan section is top-notch:
DL – Despite losing 4 starters, including 3 NFL draft selections, Michigan still boasts some serious talent along the D-Line starting with sophomore DE Rashan Gary, the #1 recruit in the 2016 class. He’ll be joined by potential NFL pick DT Maurice Hurst (11.5 TFL & 4.5 sacks), highly productive (when healthy) NT Bryan Mone & junior DE Chase Winovich (9 tfl & 5.5 sacks).
Some Experience at LB – WLB Mike McCray (75t – 2nd) will be joined in the middle by sophomore Devin Bush (12t). Sophomore Khaleke Hudson (8t) takes over for Peppers at the hybrid Viper/Sam position and he should be very good, though he is not in Peppers' league in man-to-man coverage.
Secondary has question marks - Michigan is in the unenviable position of replacing their entire secondary from last year. Tyree Kinnel played in thirteen games and he’ll start at FS. Beyond that, there are mostly just questions. Josh Metellus (15t) will start at SS, backed up by Jordan Glasgow. Cornerback is a true unknown as UM has some talented youngsters (Lavert Hill, David Long & Keith Washington) but basically no one with much experience.
In a world where many previewers don’t know the different between a hybrid space player and a standup defensive end, someone not from the Michigan sphere paying close enough attention to get all of these correct probably has a good handle on things.
Yes. We have all won! We have all lost no money whatsoever betting on college football 2017---yet...
Just got it. They have some great stuff, thanks Seth.
I'll bet it all Alex
You've got a wormhole into the future opened up on your phone.
START BETTING.
Can the sponsor summarize their plans and what they actually provide/ do? That would be awesome, even if it's just a link to a table on their site.
The one thing I might challenge:
Sophomore Khaleke Hudson (8t) takes over for Peppers at the hybrid Viper/Sam position and he should be very good, though he is not in Peppers' league in man-to-man coverage.
Coverage, especially man, wasn't Peppers' strong suit by a long stretch. Khaleke might actually end up being better than him (at man coverage) based on what I remember from his HS film. But I scream like a schoolgirl at the Beatles on Ed Sullivan whenever I think of Khaleke on the field, so maybe I'm not being objective about this. Not saying he's going to step in right away and be better.
Yea maybe they meant not in the same league as far as run support...because what they wrote makes no sense. Overall a decent analysis, though, from outsiders.
Spot on man. Everytime I hear someone say we will miss Peppers for his man coverage I cringe. Peppers was phenomenal, amazing, fantastic, etc. but man, Hudson is going to be fun to watch for the next few years.
was a good read, but they did get some things wrong. Like everyone above pointed out, coverage was not Peppers strong suit. They also listed Donnie Corley as MSU's top returning reciever, but he gone.
When I was in college I started betting football games. Then I would work all summer to pay off my debt. I then wised up and got on the other side. Over the course of an entire season,, I never once had anyone come out ahead. The typical pattern was that those that bet would eventually lose everything they could afford and then some. The "then some" always went uncollected.
A litle PSA from someone who has seen some things: If you like to throw a little something on some games, have it set aside already and be ok that if you lose it you lose it. It will make your season and life much more enjoyable.