Indiana vs Michigan Preview: Wolverines Week 7’s Biggest Favorite
Michigan Leads FBS in Scoring Defense (40 Points Allowed)!
More than a month into the college football season, the Michigan Wolverines have yet to be tested. That’s unlikely to change this week, as the Wolverines host lowly Indiana in Big Ten Conference play. Saturday’s kickoff is scheduled for noon ET.
Michigan is currently the biggest favorite on the board at -33 (-110). The Hoosiers are +33 (-110), while the projected total sits at 45 (-110 Over, -110 Under) after opening at 48.5.
Can the Wolverines cover? Let’s dive into the matchup and break down the odds in our Indiana vs Michigan preview.
Indiana Hoosiers vs Michigan Wolverines 
Date & Time:
Location: Michigan Stadium; Ann Arbor, MI
Streaming: Fox
Indiana vs Michigan Betting Trends
The Indiana Hoosiers are 3-2 against the spread this season but 7-13 over their last 20 games. The total has gone Over in six of the Hoosiers’ last nine games. Meanwhile, the Michigan Wolverines are 2-3-1 ATS this year. The total has gone Under in four of the Wolverines’ last six games, including four of the last five between these teams. The Wolverines are 13-4-1 ATS in their last 18 games in October. Keep that in mind when assessing the odds in our Indiana vs Michigan preview.
Head of the Class
It’s the national championship or bust for the Michigan Wolverines. The Wolverines are 6-0, including 3-0 in Big Ten play, after pounding Minnesota 52-10 as an 18.5-point favorite in Week 6. They’re also ranked No. 2 in the AP Top 25 poll. They’re off to an impeccable start, and nothing but a title will suffice.
Can they get the job done? Oddsmakers seem to like their chances, pricing the Wolverines +125 to win the Big Ten and +350 to win it all. At the moment, only Georgia (+250) owns better NCAAF championship odds.
The Wolverines are well-equipped offensively, but it’s their defense that sets them apart. They’ve allowed an NCAA-best 40 points in six games. The Golden Gophers were the first team this season to score double digits against them. Altogether, they’ve given up just four touchdowns.
The Wolverines were projected for 10.5 wins, with a lean (-130) to the Over. Although that total doesn’t allow much room for error, the Wolverines seem poised to cash in. Games against No. 6 Penn State (Nov. 11) and No. 3 Ohio State (No. 25) will likely go a long way toward determining their fate. As dominant as Michigan’s been, it’s worth noting the Wolverines have yet to play a ranked opponent on the NCAA football schedule.
Their fate may largely depend on the play of J.J. McCarthy. The junior’s been solid under center, completing 67% of his passes for 11 touchdowns compared to three interceptions. Despite that, McCarthy (+2200) still not getting much love for the Heisman Trophy.
Hoosiers Truly Offensive
The Indiana Hoosiers are coming off a bye. In their most recent game, Sept. 30, they lost 44-17 to Maryland as a 14.5-point underdog. The Hoosiers are now 2-3 on the season, including 0-2 in Big Ten play.
The Hoosiers were projected to be among the worst teams in the conference, and that’s proving accurate. They’ve scored a total of 34 points in their three losses.
Inconsistent quarterback play is largely to blame. The Hoosiers have just four touchdown passes in five games. Tennessee transfer Tayven Jackson, the projected starter, is averaging just 172.4 passing yards and has already been sacked seven times, including thrice each of the past two games.
The Hoosiers have lost 11 of their last 14 games dating to last season, with their last victory over a Power Five team coming Nov. 19, 2022, against Michigan State, 39-31 in double overtime. This year, they’ve beaten FCS programs Indiana State and Akron. It’s certainly not encouraging for head coach Tom Allen, who entered this season on the hot seat.
Following their latest loss, the Hoosiers fired offensive coordinator Walt Bell. Rod Carey, who has been on staff since 2022, will take over for Bell. The Hoosiers rank 112th nationally in scoring at 20.8 points per game per NCAA football scores. That’s important to remember when analyzing the odds in our Indiana vs Michigan preview.
Handicapping the Game
There’s no way around it. This is a colossal mismatch. But you probably knew that already. Michigan is a bona fide national championship contender, maybe even the best team in the country. Indiana, on the other hand, is a bottom feeder. And the Hoosiers aren’t likely to turn things around anytime soon, at least not this season.
That said, this spread is considerably large. The Wolverines are more than capable of covering, but if -33 has you feeling uneasy, consider taking the Over at -110 odds.
For NCAAF betting news, odds, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
