Michigan Football vs Penn State: Odds and a prediction for College Football Week 7

Michigan football and Penn State will square off in a matchup of top-10 teams on Saturday and here’s a look at the odds, as well an early prediction against the spread. 

After a 31-10 win over Indiana last week, Michigan football was dropped in the polls. This week, as 10th-ranked Penn State comes to Ann Arbor, style points won’t be something to worry about.

Not that Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines are worried about style points in the first place. Michigan is about winning games and right now, the Wolverines have won 18 of 20. They have also won eight straight in the Big Ten and 12 of 13.

Saturday will be a huge test though. The Nittany Lions have proven they can win on the road too, knocking off both Purdue and Auburn. Is either of those teams Michigan? No. But it shows Penn State can handle a hostile environment like the one they will see Saturday during the Maize Out.

This will be the eighth meeting between Jim Harbaugh and James Franklin. Harbaugh and Michigan football are 4-3, but Penn State has won three of the last five. It was three of four before Cade McNamara’s clutch TD pass to Erick All to win in Happy Valley last November.

Now, we look ahead to a huge game in the Big Ten East and one that will have very big implications for the Big Ten championship in 2022.

Michigan Football vs Penn State odds in College Football Week 7

The line opened at -7.5 for Michigan football but according to the latest odds from Fan Duel, the Wolverines are a 6.5-point favorite against Penn State on Saturday. The over/under is 52.5. The money line is +215 for Penn State and -265 for Michigan football.

(Odds are subject to change)

Michigan football vs Penn State prediction against the spread

Outside of the 2020 home game against Penn State, Jim Harbaugh has dominated James Franklin at home, winning in blowout fashion in 2016 and 2018. Harbaugh has also been really good against ranked teams at home not named Ohio State.

Michigan State upset him twice at home, but outside of the 2020 season, no other Big Ten program other than MSU/OSU has beaten Harbaugh in Ann Arbor.

I don’t see that changing this weekend. Michigan’s schedule hasn’t been super hard but Maryland and Iowa aren’t pushovers. This team has been challenged as much as Penn State.

Sean Clifford is a veteran but I’d take J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum, and the Michigan defense over the Nittany Lions. And Michigan football will win a close, competitive game 27-17.