NCAA Football Betting: Army at Michigan

For a team that just laid the smack down on Middle Tennessee State by the tune of a three-touchdown victory, people are down on No. 7-ranked Michigan heading into Saturday’s match-up with Army.

Sure, the Wolverines (1-0) were favored by 33.5 points over the Blue Raiders, but what part of Jim Harbaugh’s personality makes you think he cares about a point spread. It was a dominating victory and spreads that big should give most of us pause anyway before laying any cash down.

Speaking of big spreads, the Michigan is looking at another one this week as they host the Black Knights (1-0).

ARMY AT NO. 7 MICHIGAN
BETONLINE.AG LINE: MICHIGAN -22
OVER/UNDER: 46
BROADCAST: FOX
LOCATION: MICHIGAN STADIUM
KICKOFF: NOON

That 22 points is massive, and considering the over-under is barley more than half that, the books obviously feel that Michigan will be doing most of the end zone work. Considering that Army mustered just 14 points in their victory over Rice, that’s probably safe bet.

People like to talk up the flex-bone like it’s interesting and dangerous, but, really, it’s none of those things. It’s a gimmick offense that a team only employs when it’s outmatched physically across the board, which Army usually is.

For Michigan, third-year starting quarterback Shae Patterson knocked the offseason cobwebs off with a 17-of-29 performance for 203 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He spread the ball around to nine different receivers, with Tarik Black getting most of the work with four catches for 80 yards and touchdown. There will be no player on Army’s roster that can run with Black, so don’t be surprised to see Patterson dial up his deep threat early.

In their one-touchdown win over the Owls, Army got 80 yards and a touchdown from quarterback Kevin Hopkins, Jr. He only attempted eight passes in the game and completed just three of them for 53 yards and a touchdown.

In the flex-bone, the pass isn’t an offensive strategy. It’s a trick play to catch the other team off guard as they’re working to stop the run.

Defensively last week linebacker Khaleke Hudson led the way for the Wolverines with eight tackles. Expect that number to increase significantly as most of the work defending the option falls on the linebackers and defensive backs. You play “assignment football,” meaning you’re in charge a gap, not an opposing player. If the option beats you, it’s because you fell for the misdirection and didn’t stay in your lane.

THE PICK

Of course, there’s no real chance Army can win this game. It’s all about those 22 points and, frankly, I think Michigan covers this one. Don’t be scared off by the fact that Middle Tennessee kept it under 20 points. They’re a real team that won eight games last season and made a bowl game. That spread was far too high. If he Black Knights could only muster 14 points against Rice, they’re in for a long afternoon in Ann Arbor. Michigan 42, Army 10

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