Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Michigan Wolverines 08/31/24 – As the new NCAAF season surround scene of the Fresno State Bulldogs (9-4 last season)—Michigan Wolverines (15-0 last season) October promises a heavyweight showdown. This fascinating meeting is scheduled for Saturday for fans of football to extremely enjoy NBC screened and highly energized program. This game favors two heavyweights in the field yet gives fans a free NCAAF tip on the likely outcome of the David versus Goliath game.
Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Michigan Wolverines 08/31/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Michigan Stadium |
| TV: | NBC |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Fresno State Bulldogs (9-4 Last Season) vs. Michigan Wolverines (15-0 Last Season)
The Fresh State Bulldogs, who finished the previous season with an impressive performance, want to drop the undersized label. A prominent part of their plans will be the ground and aerial show organized by Malik Sherrod and Jalen Moss. Sherrod managed to rush for 966 yards and scored 9 touchdowns giving a notice to defenders that he knows how to break defenses while Moss, who equally efficiently tested Cardinal defenses with 706 yards of receiving, was also a dangerous weapon. This offensive duo must find loopholes in the Michigan defense if they want to shift the balance. This matchup shares a parallel narrative with the Miami (OH) vs Northwestern duel today, where offensive strategies could determine the game’s outcome.
On the other hand, the Michigan Wolverines are coming to defend their title and boast an impressive record of fifteen wins. Last season, Donovan Edwards, who is a part of the offensive line, accumulated close to 500 rushing yards. Edwards’s ability to evade guards and earn precious yards will be useful against Fresno’s defense. Another one will be a tight end Colston Loveland who turned 649 yards of pure receiving into positive scoring drives. This game’s dynamics mirror the UTEP against Nebraska clash, emphasizing the impact of strong receivers in critical matchups.
Mikey Keene QB vs. Jack Tuttle QB
Last season, Mikey Keene of Fresno State outshined other players in the league with a keen showing of 2,976 yards passing and a completion percentage of 67.1%, although he threw 10 intercepts, which raises some alarms. Most importantly, the ability to throw deep to receivers such as Moss will be needed in Keene. However, his reckless passing will have to be cut down if the Bulldogs want to shock the world. His mobility and quick throwing will be enough to partially negate Michigan’s ferocious pass rush and expose his dual-threat abilities.
Jack Tuttle, taking over as a starter at Michigan, did not get much game time but did not waste it and ended up with a decent 88.2% completion ratio in a limited volume of passes. He had a near-perfect passer efficiency rating of 171.9, so efficiency is not questioned. However, the true challenge will be how he responds to the efforts of a focused and high-intensity Fresno defense. Tuttle is well known for his accuracy and ability to make the right decisions in a split second.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Michigan Wolverines -21 -110, Total Odds: 47.5
The betting lines have Michigan as the clear favorite with a -21 point spread, reflecting their dominant last season and strong roster. The total of 47.5 points suggests expectations of a relatively high-scoring game, a testament to both teams’ offensive capabilities.
Fresno State Bulldogs Betting Trends
Despite a strong overall season, Fresno State’s betting trends reveal challenges, especially ATS, where they are 2-7 in their last 9 games. However, their record of 6-1 ATS in week 1 games suggests they come well-prepared early in the season. These mixed signals imply that while Fresno might not win outright, they could cover the spread if their key players perform to potential.
Michigan Wolverines Wolverines Betting Trends
Michigan’s recent ATS record of 5-1, coupled with an undefeated streak at home, underscores their reliability in satisfying spread bettors. Their consistent performance, especially in high-stakes games, makes them a safe bet for covering large spreads.
Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Michigan Wolverines 8/31/24 Betting Picks
With the current betting patterns and past performances in mind, one may conclude that Michigan looks like the strongest of all the teams. Still, the adverse side of a huge point spread is something that will make bettors cautious. The historical success of Fresno State in Week 1, as a rule, means that they can be expected to perform reasonably and cover the spread even when a win seems out of reach.
The sharper bet, in this case, would probably have to be taking Fresno State to cover the +21 spread and have the game be more competitive than the lines have it. Also, looking at the offense of the two teams, the over on 47.5 seems like a good bet. This game highlights the magnitude of sports betting, particularly in the area of sports handicapping insights, which assists in achieving the betting objectives.