Arkansas State Red Wolves (2-0) vs. Michigan Wolverines (1-1)
As the college football season heats up, Week 3 brings us an intriguing matchup with the Arkansas State Red Wolves traveling to face the Michigan Wolverines at the historic Michigan Stadium this Saturday. Arkansas State holds an undefeated record of 2-0, seemingly ready to challenge the bigger programs, while Michigan looks to rebound from a shaky 1-1 start. This game is not just a test of strength but also a significant point of interest for bettors and fans, being featured prominently across top betting sites.
This year, Arkansas State has had some successes; more importantly, the rushing department has worked well. Zak Wallace, their running back, has carried the ball 119 yards and scored two touchdowns; per rush, he got to 3.8 yards. His talent for finding holes in the defense could prove pivotal in penetrating the layers of defense put by Michigan. Also, one more wide receiver, Corey Rucker, was terrific, as he made 13 catches for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns. With a per catch of 18.4 yards, Rucker is the kind of receiver that any defense will fear and is one of the reasons why the Red Wolves will be competitive in this game.
In contrast, the Michigan Wolverines have a solid defense, but their secondary has struggled throughout the season. Rushing the ball is Kalel Mullings’ forte. Statistically, he performs well on the field, achieving 117 yards from 21 attempts. The tight end Colston Loveland has also stepped up and delivered in this regard, recording 16 catches for 157 yards with one score. These two will likely be the focus of Michigan’s offense as they will be looking to exploit the holes in Arkansas State’s defense – particularly in the middle, where Colston can use his height and long hands effectively.
Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. Michigan Wolverines Game Info
| When: | Friday, September 13, 2024 at 12:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Michigan Stadium |
| TV: | BTN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Jaylen Raynor QB vs. Davis Warren QB
Raynor Jaylen, the recent Arkansas State’s quarterback explains that this season started on a rather pleasant note with 572 yards earned in passing and three touchdown passes made, although two interceptions suggest other aspects that need development. As someone who can prolong a play and throw the ball downfield to Corey Rucker, Raynor is a dangerous weapon, but the Wolverines’ defense might take advantage of his judgment under pressure.
As for Davis Warren, the Wolverine quarterback, he has provided steadiness and caused some turnovers with three interceptions and two touchdowns. His 63.8% completion rate is good for average, but his performance under pressure might negatively affect offense rhythm for Michigan against Arkansas State.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Michigan Wolverines -1099, Total Odds: 48.5
The betting odds sharply favor Michigan with a -19.5 spread, suggesting that bookmakers expect them to win comfortably at home. However, the hefty spread also indicates a potential value in betting on Arkansas State to cover, given their strong performance against the spread in recent September (12-4-1 ATS in their last 17 games in September).
Arkansas State Red Wolves Betting Trends
Arkansas State has struggled against Big Ten teams, losing all last 10 encounters, and their road game record is also concerning, standing at 3-17 SU in their last 20 games away. Despite these challenges, their ATS performance in September games could give bettors some hope as they have historically performed well during this month.
Michigan Wolverines Betting Trends
Michigan has an impressive record at home and in September games, going 19-1 SU in their last 20 home games and 14-1 SU in their last 15 games in September. These trends support the notion of their dominance in familiar conditions and during early-season games, making them a strong favorite in this matchup.
Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. Michigan Wolverines 9/14/24 Betting Picks
Considering the statistical trends and current form, Michigan seems poised to secure a victory at home. However, the significant point spread provides a cautious note; Arkansas State’s resilience and historical ATS performance in September suggest they might cover the spread. Bettors should look closely at the over/under line, considering both teams have mixed trends in total scores in early games.
In terms of a NCAAF winning pick, Michigan is likely to win, but the smart money might be on Arkansas State to cover the +19.5 spread. Given both teams ‘ recent performances, prop bets might also offer value, particularly in predicting the total points scored, with a lean towards the under.
Free Pick and Prediction: Michigan Wolverines 28, Arkansas State Red Wolves 13
