Michigan Football: Odds and prediction vs TCU in the Fiesta Bowl

The Fiesta Bowl is now just five days away for Michigan football and TCU. Here’s a look at the odds as well as a prediction against the spread.

It’s finally game week for the 2022 Fiesta Bowl which is also part of the College Football Playoff. Michigan football is the No. 2 seed for the second straight year and will face TCU.

The Horned Frogs are 12-1 and are one of the three teams (Michigan and Georgia) to have beaten every team on its schedule at least once. The Horned Frogs didn’t win the Big 12 title after losing in overtime to Kansas State in the championship game.

However, TCU beat Kansas State earlier in the season. Georgia and Michigan won their leagues and didn’t lose a game. It’s a weird year in that only two of the four playoff teams are conference champions but Max Duggan and company are no joke.

The defense is middle of the pack but the offense is dynamic. Duggan has gotten much of the attention but some have suggested that Quentin Johnston, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound wideout with over 900 yards receiving this season is the best wideout in this upcoming NFL draft.

He’s going to be just as challenging as Marvin Harrison Jr. But I’d expect Will Johnson to get some work and the Wolverines do a great job of using bracket coverage.

Kendre Miller rushed for nearly 1,400 yards so TCU has weapons. The Horned Frog defense isn’t specular and allows 385 total yards per game, 25 points per game, and 4.1 yards per rushing attempt.

That bodes well for the Wolverines. Michigan football has also been elite against the run and showed it can hem even one of the best passing games in college football in Ohio State.

Mike Morris is also expected to return to full strength and having its best pass rusher back in the lineup should also help Michigan’s defense.

Let’s take a look at the odds for Michigan football and TCU and then a prediction against the spread.

Michigan football vs TCU odds in the Fiesta Bowl

The Wolverines are a 7.5-point favorite according to Fanduel. The over/under is 59.5 points and the money line is +250 for TCU and -315 for Michigan football.

(Odds are subject to change)

Michigan football vs TCU prediction

The line has moved in TCU’s direction since opening at 9.5 points. My initial read is that this will be a competitive game. Michigan football should find success running the football and TCU should be able to score some points too.

Max Duggan isn’t a statue in the pocket and he’ll cause Michigan some problems, especially with how he can be a weapon in the zone-read.

That being said, Michigan football’s defense is one of the best in the red zone and also in the second half.

Jesse Minter is great at adjustments and while TCU will score four or five times, my prediction is that there will be enough field goals for Michigan to win the game and cover the spread.

However, I don’t see 60 total points being scored. Michigan will want to grind things out on the ground after getting the lead and that will lead to fewer plays for the TCU offense and a score in the 50s.