The University of Michigan wraps up a ridiculously easy non-conference schedule on Saturday when the fourth-ranked Wolverines and new full-time starting quarterback JJ McCarthy host UConn. Michigan is a heavy favorite on the NCAAF odds.

How to Bet UConn at Michigan NCAA Football Odds & TV Info

• When: Saturday, noon ET
• Where: Michigan Stadium
• TV: ABC
• Stream: ESPN app
• Radio: Tunein.com
• Opening NCAAF Lines: Michigan -47.5 (total 60.5)

Series History

The Huskies are 0-2 all-time against Michigan with the last meeting coming in 2013, a 24-21 loss to the Wolverines at home at Rentschler Field.

Why Bet on UConn?

The Huskies (1-2) come off a 48-14 home loss to Syracuse last Saturday. Syracuse junior quarterback Garrett Shrader threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns and ran two more. UConn was held to 187 of total offense in the loss, just 92 through the air and 10 first downs.  Sophomore running back Nathan Carter led the Huskies with 71 yards rushing on 16 carries.

Freshman quarterback Zion Turner completed 14-of-17 throws for 92 yards and a score, a 56-yard hook-up with sophomore Aaron Turner in the third quarter, his first career touchdown catch. The UConn defense was led by junior Jackson Mitchell, who matched his career-high in tackles for the second time this season, making 16 stops and adding a half sack.

Two players missed the Syracuse game as quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson left UConn’s previous matchup on the team’s second drive and wide receiver Keelan Marion left after catching a first quarter touchdown pass. Roberson has a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season. Marion had surgery on his collarbone and there in no timetable for his return at this time.

UConn is now coached by Jim Mora. He previously led UCLA to a 46-30 record and four bowl appearances and his 31 years of coaching experience also included head coaching stints with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks.

In his press conference Tuesday, Mora said UConn has the smallest roster in Division I Bowl Football Subdivision football when answering a question about depth.  According to the recruiting-assisting organization Next College Student Athlete (NCSA), the average FBS roster is at 118 players.

“To start with, we have the smallest roster in Division I football at 105,” Mora said. “You know, most places are at 120, 125, 130. So No. 1, we’re not allowed to have depth because we’re capped out at 105. And I’m not exactly sure the reason why, but that is a fact. I wish it wasn’t a fact because we could certainly use bodies and players. So, No. 1 our depth suffers because of that.”

UConn’s lone win was against FCS Central Connecticut State. It’s been over 1,000 days since the Huskies’ last FBS victory.

“They’re one of the premier teams in college football,” Mora said of facing Michigan. “They played in the College Football Playoff last year and, to me, look better than ever. They’re big, physical, fast, and skilled.”

Why Bet on Michigan?

Michigan (2-0) routed Hawaii 56-10 last week. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy completed 92 percent (11-of-12) of his passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Michigan offense, while Hawai’i native Roman Wilson provided an offensive punch to the tune of two touchdowns, one receiving and one rushing, and 63 all-purpose yards.

The Wolverines’ rushing game, led by Blake Corum’s 88 yards, provided the offensive punch with 320 yards and five touchdowns. Joining Corum and Wilson with touchdowns were CJ Stokes, Donovan Edwards and Isaiah Gash. The TDs were the first of Stokes and Gash’s careers. Michigan’s aerial attack was similarly effective, finishing with 268 yards and three scores. Ronnie Bell led all receivers with six receptions for 74 yards and added his first touchdown catch of the season in the second quarter. U-M scored 42 first-half points, its most since scoring 43 points in the first half against Rutgers (Oct. 8, 2016).

U-M is tied for the top-ranked scoring offense in the country at 53.5 points per game. The team’s 107 points scored through two weeks are the second-most in the Harbaugh era (2016: 114 points) and tie for the sixth-highest total in program history.

Coach Jim Harbaugh named McCarthy his full-time starting QB after the Hawaii game. Cade McNamara started the season opener and every game last year, leading U-M to the Big Ten title and College Football Playoff.  McCarthy received a grade of 93.7 by Pro Football Focus College in his first career start against Hawaii. That mark is the best single-game grade for a quarterback in the Harbaugh era.

McNamara completed only 50% of his passes in Week 1 against Colorado State with 136 yards and a touchdown, and had four completions for 26 yards vs. Hawaii. Harbaugh praised McCarthy’s “near flawless” performance this past Saturday, noting his only incomplete pass came on a drop. “We’ll start J.J. next week,” Harbaugh said. “He’s the starter moving forward on merit.”

McCarthy has produced a lofty touchdown rate of 10.7 percent thus far in his career (eight on 75 attempts). Half of those eight touchdown passes have been explosive plays, checking in at 35, 42, 56, and 69 yards.

The Wolverines list 11th in scoring defense, allowing 8.5 points per game with 14 of 17 total points allowed in the fourth quarter. The 17 points surrendered are tied with the 2016 season for the fourth-lowest total through two weeks in the last 25 years (1997, six points; 2003, 10 points; 2000, 14 points).

Michigan is 18-0 in nonconference games played at Michigan Stadium under Harbaugh.

Game Trends

• Huskies are 17-36-2 ATS in their last 55 road games.
• Huskies are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss of more than 20 points.
• Huskies are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games.
• Wolverines are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win.
• Wolverines are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games.

Expert Prediction: Michigan 56, UConn 13

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