Arkansas State vs Michigan Picks: Top 2 Bets for 9/14

Last weekend, Sharrone Moore’s team endured what could be taken as a simple, old-school beatdown (31-12) by the Texas Longhorns, who are, for me, the best football team in college football right now. It was Michigan’s first home loss since Nov. 28, 2020.

Now, as the Wolverines get ready for their second straight home game, this time against the 2-0 Arkansas State Red Wolves, who are fresh off a tight 28-24 win against Tulsa, the chance for redemption and reassuring the team’s CFP pretensions is ripe for the taking.

With the Wolverines entering the game as 23-point favorites, according to our online betting spread, which bets should you target?

Arkansas State vs Michigan Game Information

• Game: Arkansas State (2-0) vs Michigan (1-1)
• Date/Time: Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, 12:00 p.m. ET
• Venue: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
• Arkansas State vs Michigan Live Stream: BTN

Arkansas State vs Michigan Odds and Spreads

Arkansas State vs Michigan NCAAF Betting Insights

• The Wolverines are 0-2-0 ATS this season.
• Last season, Michigan had a 4-4-1 ATS record.
• Only one of Michigan’s games has exceeded the point total.
• Arkansas State had a 4-3-0 ATS record last season.
• No Arkansas State games have beaten the point total this season.

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3 Arkansas State vs Michigan Betting Keys

1. Reality Bites: Just Ask Michigan

Just like the title from the famous 1994 Wynona Ryder, Ben Stiller, and Ethan Hawke cult classic, those two words “Reality Bites” might be the best way to describe the Michigan Wolverines right now. After starting the season thinking their poop didn’t stink with a 30-10 victory against Fresno State and having a genuine belief in the idea they had a squad that could compete for another College Football Playoff title, Texas came to town and not only rained on Michigan’s parade but flooded the whole state.

To put it nicely, Michigan never stood a chance against Texas. After trailing by 24-3 at halftime, the Wolverines would finish the game limping in a 31-12 defeat that could have been much worse. Quarterback Davis Warren looked lost and the team’s other offensive stars, running back Donovan Edwards and receiver Colston Loveland, could do little to avoid the inevitable.

Homecoming game on Saturday

Michigan Monday » https://t.co/CUIjN2tP43#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/eJr9yx0vxg

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) September 9, 2024

For Michigan, the mission is simple: Win on Saturday against Arkansas State, but not just win; plain out dominate the Red Wolves. Then, hope that this win could work as inspiration for the following week’s game against USC and continue going from there.

The Wolverines will need their rushing attack to be their absolute best this weekend. Against a team that has shown it struggles against ground attacks, rushing the ball 35 or 40 times, if necessary, will pay off. And on defense? Double up on the intensity, break through Arkansas State’s meager offensive line and tear the passing game apart play by play, all while controlling the clock.

2. Michigan ATS? Too Easy a Bet to Pass Up

As I just explained it, this game can easily be won by Michigan if they just focus on two specific things. On offense, use its rushing attack as much as possible. Arkansas State got creamed by Central Arkansas’ running game in Week 1, and, to no surprise, got creamed again against Tulsa last weekend, with the Golden Hurricane averaging 5.0 yards per attempt.

That, along with a decent showing from Warren, Loveland and the rest of Michigan’s passing game, should ensure an easy outing on offense against the Arkansas State Red Wolves.

Defensively, breaking QB Jaylen Raynor’s game down and keeping him from reaching his favorite target, WR CoreyRucker, and keeping Arkansas State’s offense off the field as much as possible will do the trick.

So, in short, Michigan as 23-point college football lines favorite? Yes, please, and thank you.

ATS Pick: Michigan -23 (-115)

3. In Scoring Fiesta in Ann Arbor, Take the Over

I know that NCAA football betting fans’ expectations of Michigan for this season have seen some better days, even if we’re just two games into the season. That loss against Texas was humbling, as humbling as a national champion from the prior season could endure. But don’t get the narrative twisted here: The Wolverines are still a very good team and could cause plenty of damage on Saturday and down the stretch.

New week ahead. New opportunity ahead.#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/BBMqcno4ON

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) September 9, 2024

It took me only two seconds to decide on my second college football pick for this game. Arkansas State will bring the fight, at least for a bit, and put a couple of TDs on the board. However, with Michigan looking to assert early and utter dominance on Saturday, expect a high-scoring performance from the home team and take the over in the total.

Bet on Arkansas State Total Over 47 ½ (-110) vs Michigan Odds!

Questions of the Day

Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.