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Michigan opens as 7.5-point favorite at Michigan State

Rivalry week part 1 is here.

Wisconsin v Michigan Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The opening betting line for this weekend’s game between the Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans has been released, and it has the good guys favored by slightly more than a touchdown.

The Wolverines opened as a 7.5-point favorite, according to Vegas Insider. That line has been moving quite often, as it is now at an even seven points.

Michigan is coming off a huge 38-13 victory over Wisconsin at home, while the Spartans pulled off a big 21-17 upset over Penn State in Happy Valley.

Last week, I thought the betting line was way too high for Michigan to cover. I was happy to be wrong.

This week, I think this betting line is about right. I’m sure it will go up, as Michigan fans loves to bet on their Wolverines to cover, but I think around seven points is pretty fair. MSU has a vaunted rushing defense and will present a challenge to Karan Higdon and company, something Wisconsin challenged them with early on.

Meanwhile, MSU has covered pretty much every spread against U-M since the dawn of football, so this should be a relatively close game no matter what. Sparty always brings their A-game against Michigan. This is MSU’s Super Bowl, so I wouldn’t expect a blowout by any means.

Poll

What will be the game result?

This poll is closed

  • 60%
    Michigan wins, covers the spread
    (585 votes)
  • 26%
    Michigan wins, does not cover the spread
    (254 votes)
  • 12%
    Michigan loses
    (122 votes)
961 votes total Vote Now