Vegas Big Ten Predictions
Appalachian State at Michigan
Line: Michigan by 34.5
GBMWolverine
Here we go again. Michigan is in the process of trying to turn around the direction of the program under Brady Hoke after two years of regression, and the amount of returning talent on both sides of the ball along with Hoke’s recruiting should allow that, even if there are unanswered questions at quarterback and on the offensive line. And who did they pick to start off their bounce-back year? Appalachian State, an FCS school in 2007 that pulled off the biggest upset in college football history against the Wolverines when they were thinking about a national title. So watch out, this game could get dangerous. If it means anything, Michigan is worse now than it was then.
Appalachian State is worse than they were then as well, though. Much worse. The Mountaineers begin play in FBS this year but finished their last year at FCS with a 4-8 record, a dramatic fall-out for a once proud FCS school. Now they’re playing big time football. Can they pull off the upset again?
Prediction
This time Michigan has no trouble. Wolverines players will be very aware of what happened in 2007 and have a determination to prove they are a good team this year. Michigan’s defense will give the Mountaineers fits all day, and they’ll put up some big numbers on offense as well.
Michigan: 48 Appalachian State: 7