Free Week 12 Prediction: Wolverines vs Nittany Lions Odds
Week 12 College football betting sees the Michigan Wolverines taking on the Penn State Nittany Lions Saturday November 21st at Beaver Stadium, State College, Pennsylvania. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions.
Week 12
Michigan Wolverines (8-2) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (7-3)
Date: Saturday, November 21st
Time: 12 PM
Venue: Beaver Stadium, State College PA
NCAA Football Spread: Michigan -4
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Between Penn State emerging from the doldrums of their Jerry Sandusky/Joe Paterno-related sanctions and Michigan in a nearly decade-long malaise, one mightn’t have predicted this would be a marquee Big Ten match-up at the start of this college season.
Yet, there is plenty at stake in the bowl picture when the Wolverines travel to Happy Valley to take on the iconic Nittany Lions in a late season tilt.
Even after a heartbreaking last-second loss to “Little Brother” Michigan State (oh, how the tables have turned in recent years), the Maize and Blue are ranked 12th in the FBS and have eight wins to show for a rejuvenated effort under their NFL-wise coach.
Harbaugh is definitely challenging Ohio State’s Urban Meyer for ‘Cool Kid on the Block’ status in the conference.
The Lions, for their part, have also played well behind veteran QB Christian Hackenberg, as they sit at 7-3 and a win against the visitors this week would buoy their chances in the Big Ten East division.
Michigan
New Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh holds everyone accountable in his program – attaching a professionalism that perhaps didn’t exist under predecessors Brady Hoke and Rich Rodriguez. It’s led to the Wolverines taking a profound step forward in Harbaugh’s first year in Ann Arbor.
Almost instantly, Michigan has credibility again and is back among the Big Ten’s elite football teams.
Quarterback Jake Rudock has settled in nicely – his six TDs last week were a school record. The defensive line has withstood the loss of Ondre Pipkins, a five-star talent.
The “D” has allowed among the fewest red-zone trips of any team in the country and entering last Saturday, the secondary yielded some of the fewest TD passes. It’s a shame – had Pipkins stayed on the team, the proficiency of Michigan’s defense would likely have vaulted him in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Along with the corresponding bump in recruiting from Harbaugh’s presence and zeal for the job, Michigan is well on its way to being a bully in the Big Ten once again.
Penn State
Current Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien got this program back on track after the heavy sanctions, and the Lions are once again trending upward, in keeping with their prestigious history.
The Lions started the year with a disappointing loss to in-state Temple, though the Owls have proven to be a great team in 2015. Since then, it’s been an inspired performance in State College.
The offense is led by Hackenberg, freshman RB Saquon Barkley (836 rush yards, seven TDs) and wideout Chris Godwin, who is averaging nearly 17 yards per catch. More impressively, the PSU defense ranks 17th in the nation in points against, yielding less than 18 points per contest.
That defensive bite will be needed versus a Michigan offense that has found its feet under QB Jake Rudock.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- Wolverines are 5-5-0 ATS in their last 10 games.
- Wolverines are 5-4-0 ATS when favorited.
- Wolverines are 1-3-0 ATS away from Ann Arbor.
- Nittany Lions are 4-6-0 ATS in their last 10 games.
- Nittany Lions are 0-1 ATS when registered as the underdog.
- Nittany Lions are 4-2-0 ATS at home.
Free Week 12 NCAA Football Prediction
It will be a very hostile environment for Michigan on Saturday afternoon, but Harbaugh’s teams come out with the right focus and mindset – I don’t see it rattling Rudock and Co.
4* Free NCAA Betting Pick: Michigan ATS
The game could be a low-scoring affair (by collegiate standards) due to the two strong defenses taking the field.
It should be close, but I see Michigan’s superior playmakers making the difference in an important late-season divisional and conference match-up. It is refreshing to see relevant Big Ten football again after a long slump.
Week 12 Free Score Prediction: Michigan 27, Penn State 17
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