A matchup of strength against strength is set for SHI Stadium on Saturday, as the Rutgers, The State University of N.J. Scarlet Knights (4-4, 1-4 Big 10) and their exceptional rushing defense welcome the No. 4 University of Michigan Wolverines (8-0, 5-0 Big 10) and their great ground offense. The Wolverines are 26-point favorites, and the total is 45.
Michigan is coming off a runaway 29-7 win over Michigan State at Michigan Stadium last Saturday, their eighth straight victory. J.J. McCarthy threw for 167 yards and a touchdown. Blake Corum ran 33 times for 177 yards and a touchdown. Luke Schoonmaker caught five passes for 70 yards.Rutgers lost 31-0 to Minnesota at Huntington Bank Stadium last Saturday.
Gavin Wimsatt was 6 of 17 for 86 yards and an interception. Kyle Monangai carried seven times for 29 yards. Sean Ryan caught four receptions for 46 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Wolverines won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 20-13 victory in September, their fifth straight win against Rutgers.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Wolverines are averaging 41.0 points per game for the season, eighth in FBS, and they are facing a Scarlet Knights defense that has surrendered 22.5 PPG (44th). Meanwhile, Rutgers has scored 20.1 points a game this season, 114th in the nation, and Michigan is allowing 11.5 PPG (3rd).
The Wolverines rank as one of the country’s top teams in rushing yards per game (246.0, 5th), while they are 85th in passing yards (223.8). They will be matching strength against strength on the ground, as the Scarlet Knights are 19th in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (108.1).
Against the pass, Rutgers is 18th (182.9).Rutgers has been one of the nation’s least successful passing teams, averaging 154.8 passing yards per game (121st), while ranking 65th in rushing yards (150.6). Michigan’s defense will present a challenge through the air, as the Wolverines are 8th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (170.5). Against the run, the Wolverines are 3rd (79.8).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through eight games, J.J. McCarthy has thrown for 10 touchdowns (2 INT) and 183.0 yards per game to lead Michigan in passing. In two away games this season, he has four TDs (1 INT) and an average of 229.5 yards passing.
Blake Corum leads the team in rushing with an average of 134.8 yards a game over eight games. He has 14 touchdowns on the ground. Ronnie Bell is the Wolverines’ leading receiver with 60.2 yards a game and one TD.
Evan Simon has four passing touchdowns (6 INT) with 123.3 yards per game through six games to lead Rutgers. In three home games this season, he has thrown for three TDs (5 INT) and an average of 183.7 yards.
Samuel Brown V has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 53.4 yards a game through seven games. He has three touchdowns. Sean Ryan has been a key target in the Scarlet Knights’ aerial attack. He has two touchdowns and a 38.4 yard per game average through seven appearances.
HOME AND AWAY
Michigan has yet to be defeated away from Michigan Stadium this season in two games.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Michigan (-10000)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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