Michigan-Rutgers Odds: No. 19 Wolverines A 3-Score Favorite Opening Big Ten Play

Another week, another dominant win for the Michigan football team.

The 3-0 Wolverines now turn their attention to Big Ten Conference play this week when they host fellow unbeaten Rutgers.

Will UM be able to continue its dominance now that the league road has arrived? Here’s an early look.

Michigan Vs. Rutgers Odds: NCAA Football Week 3

Oddsmakers like Michigan over Rutgers by three scores

The Wolverines have managed to cover all three spreads thrown at them this season — and quite comfortably, we might add. They have won all three games by at least 21 points.

This week, Michigan is once again facing a lofty spread against Rutgers. Oddsmakers opened largely seeing Michigan as an 18.5-point favorite against the Knights. DraftKings Sportsbook had U-M as a 19-point favorite at home. Most major lines had moved into the 20-point range or more by Tuesday afternoon.

Moneylines aren’t too appealing for Michigan. They range from -950 to -1300. Rutgers has a line ranging from +630 to +730.

The over/under total was initially agreed upon across the board, as its listed at 51.5 points. Betting on the under has moved that list closer to 50.

Like Michigan, Rutgers is 3-0 against the spread this season. This is the first time in 2021 that the Knights are an underdog.

The over is 2-1 in Rutgers’ games, while the under has hit two out of three times in Michigan’s contests.

U-M is 6-1 all-time against Rutgers, winning the past six meetings. Last year, the Wolverines got a real scare from the Knights. Michigan eventually won 48-42 in triple OT on the road.

How to watch: Michigan Wolverines vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

• Who: Rutgers (3-0) at No. 19 Michigan (3-0)
• When: 3:30PM ET, Saturday
• Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor
• TV: ABC (Announcers: Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Molly McGrath)
• Online livestream: ESPN+
• Radio: Learfield Michigan Sports Network
• Satellite Radio: SiriusXM Channel 196 (Michigan); SiriusXM Channel 389 (Rutgers)

Wolverines dominate Northern Illinois

Michigan continued its dominant march through non-conference opponents last Saturday with a 63-10 win over Northern Illinois.

The Wolverines amassed 606 total yards while holding NIU to just 208.

U-M had a little more balance offensively this week, throwing for 233 yards while rushing for 373. However, the play calling was still just 17 passes for 48 rushing attempts.

Cade McNamara had his best outing, going 8-for-11 for 191 yards. That included an 87-yard touchdown pass to Cornelius Johnson.

Blake Corum added 125 rushing yards with three scores. Both Donovan Edwards and Hassan Haskins each scored twice on the ground as well. Michigan sits tops in the nation currently in rushing yards at 350.3 per game.

Defensively, Michigan didn’t have many highlights. The Wolverines were just dominant at shutting the Huskies down. U-M didn’t record a sack and forced just one turnover. They held NIU to just 2 of 13 converting third downs.

Blake Corum a Heisman Trophy contender?

Michigan has definitely found success in 2021 handing the ball off to Corum.

The sophomore has run for over 110 yards in each of the first three games and has seven touchdowns on the ground.

His 407 yards is currently third in the nation, while his seven touchdowns is tied for first. In a fun twist, Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III leads the nation with 493 rushing yards.

Corum’s showing thus far has him currently listed at +5000 to win the Heisman Trophy by DraftKings. Your better option, though, is going with BetMGM Sportsbook’s +8000 line for Corum right now.

Surprisingly, Corum isn’t the lone Michigan Heisman contender. McNamara is actually listed at +10000 on DraftKings as well.

McNamara actually has fewer passing yards – 371 – than Corum has rushing yards. However, oddsmakers see McNamara as someone that will likely have to raise his game for Michigan to make a run through the Big Ten.

Greg Schiano turning Rutgers around again

Greg Schiano is in his second stint with Rutgers and appears to have the Knights turning the tide once again heading into the Michigan game.

Rutgers is off to a 3-0 start following a 45-13 win over Delaware last week. The Knights have won all three games — over Temple, Syracuse and the Blue Hens — by double digits.

The Knights have been led by their defense, which ranks in the top 20 nationally in points allowed (11.3 per game), passing yards allowed (145.7 pg) and total yards allowed (261.7 pg).

Rutgers’ defense also has racked up 14 sacks. Olakunie Fatukasi is leading the way with 28 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

Offensively, Rutgers is managing well. The Knights have yet to turn the ball over while managing to average 41 points per game despite averaging just 351 yards per contest.

Noah Vedral has thrown for 606 yards and four touchdowns to lead the offense. He also has run for 71 yards.

Bo Melton has been Vedral’s top target, catching 20 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns. Isaih Pacheco is the leading rusher with 152 yards and three scores.