BYU vs. Michigan: Betting odds, point spread and tv info

Michigan Stadium is close to living up to its “Big House” reputation as the excitement for the Wolverines (2-1) hosting the BYU Cougars (2-1) on Saturday will see the venue at full capacity with an expected 109,901 in attendance. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. ET and will be televised nationally on ABC.

BYU has had some luck on their side to date, but that came to an end last week at UCLA. No doubt, Michigan will follow UCLA’s blueprint and try to run the ball often against the Cougars. With two exciting wins, the Cougars are really just a point away from being Top 10 worthy. A graduate transfer from Iowa, Rudock has completed 64.8 percent of his passes but is averaging only 6.4 yards per attempt, and the longest completion has covered only 28 yards.

The Wolverines finish nonconference play with this game at Michigan Stadium and the WagerTalk TV crew offer up their opinions in this BYU Cougars at Michigan Wolverines Preview and Free Pick. How has Michigan been able to get the season rolling?

Despite the loss to UCLA, the Cougars remained in the Associated Press poll at No. 22. BYU is 160-50 since 1922 when competing as a ranked team. Michigan State and Ohio State are two of the Scarlet Knights’ first three Big Ten opponents.

BYU is 4-7-1 against teams now in the Big Ten….

Michigan played UNLV this past weekend laying the hammer down on the Rebels. The Cougars lost to Marshall 21-3.

Cougars freshman quarterback Tanner Mangum is excellent.

Linebacker Harvey Langi was named the Independent Defensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness.

After reviewing the game, a few things stood out. He managed the game well. Ohio State won 20-13. If BYU can get out to an early lead against the Wolverines it could put the Wolverines in a situation where they need to throw more, similar to their game against Utah. Some of that is just who they are.

What’s the best nickname from each team?

This is a big game for Michigan, a win would vault them into or near the Top 25 and give them some momentum heading into conference play, which begins next week at Maryland. Michigan’s defense kept it in the game at Rice-Eccles three weeks ago, holding Utes star Devontae Booker to 69 yards on 22 carries.

[MORE BIG TEN: Intangibles the driving force behind Northwestern’s dominant defense]. I don’t know about you, but if there’s one guy I want in the country facing less than a touchdown deficit with little time left, it’s Tanner Mangum. Week one started off sour, as the Cougars lost their best player, quarterback Taysom Hill, for the season due to a Lisfranc fracture.

– Maryland (2-1) seeks more steady play from new starting QB Caleb Rowe, who threw for 297 yards and four TDs against South Florida last week but also was intercepted three times. You have to keep earning it and you have keep playing well. And all three losses have come in Spartan Stadium (1991-92, 2009). Here are some things to watch for on Saturday. The aerial assault that the Cougars will bring will test the best aspect of this Michigan team…the defense.

I felt good out there. And I felt, mentally, I was better against UCLA than Boise State. He’s just not good enough to throw the ball 40+ times a game and win you a football game. There’s still a lot to work on, but the team is starting to look the part. Nebraska needs better play from its defense.

“Nothing is ever easy, but I think we can certainly improve this week”. Football’s been fantastic and we’ve had some pretty good experiences so far. Despite that, though, this team is on one heck of a track here in 2015.

However, luck played a big role in these wins.

We’re ready for that. In the first half against Utah, Jehu Chesson appeared to slow down on a deep route that may have been a touchdown if he had run full speed. I’m excited for that. Michigan’s run defense should continue to excel throughout this season. We’ll see if that happens, though, as running back depth is low.

We’re not giving up. The Blue Raiders have two wins – over the lowly competition of Jackson State and Charlotte – in which they’ve scored a combined 143 points.

You’ve just got to trust the process. Until then, though, we have to deal with Week 4.

I love it. It could always go the other way when we’re all pointing the finger. It’s worked in the past, so nothing’s really changed in the game.