The Maryland Terrapins ended a four-game losing streak last week at Nebraska but have a daunting task before them when they host undefeated and No. 3 ranked Michigan Wolverines Saturday at SECU Stadium.
The Wolverines may or may not have head coach Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines for Saturday’s tilt. Either way, they’ve won 10 consecutive games and meet a bowl-eligible Maryland side with nothing left to play for in the conference.
Join me as I break down the betting odds and share my best prediction for Michigan vs. Maryland on November 18.
Michigan vs. Maryland Betting Analysis
This is the typical Michigan game. They opened as overwhelming favorites (-1400), but that number is now -1100 at Caesars Sportsbook MD. Unless you plan on laying $1100 to win $100, that market is now closed to you.
Alternatively, betting on Maryland (+700) would be a nice $700 payout on a $100 wager. That may not be a good idea–Michigan has won each of their last seven meetings, and there isn’t a good reason to think Maryland will win this game, as I will explain later.
Michigan opened as a -21 favorite, which is now -19.0 at Caesars. There are plenty of -19.5 available, and of course, the +19.5 (-110) is the best price for backing the Terrapins to cover the spread.
Caesars opened this game with a total of 50.5 (-110), which has dipped to 50 points in most of our Maryland sportsbooks.
Michigan vs. Maryland Best Bet
It’s been a while since Maryland defeated Michigan on a football field. Seven consecutive losses and counting to the Wolverines, and they are a huge underdog to win this football game or even cover up to +19.5 points in some places. Michigan has also covered the spread in six of those seven victories, except last season when they failed to cover the 17-points at home. The Wolverines have dominated the Terrapins and will do so again on Saturday.
The Wolverines boast the best passing defense nationally, and pass-happy Maryland will have difficulties throwing the football successfully. Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa has thrown for nearly 3000 yards this season. Still, he’s also fired eight miscues, which won’t work against a Wolverines secondary with 36 passes defended, a dozen interceptions, including four pick-sixes to its credit.
Maryland does have an above-average defense. They have been good at times and leaky at times. Heisman trophy candidate J.J. McCarthy didn’t throw one forward pass in the second half, and the Wolverines smashed Penn State. They did what they liked on the ground or the air through running back Blake Corum; the defense did the rest, and Michigan covered the -4.5 spread.
Finally, Michigan has dominated this series with Maryland and has covered in six of their past seven. Maryland is a decent team facing an elite team on both sides of the ball, and they won’t come close to beating the Wolverines on Saturday. Lay the -19 (-110) at Caesars sportsbook.
For more Maryland sports betting picks, check out MD Betting.
