Kyle Whittingham may not be panicking about Michigan football right now, but that doesn't mean nobody else is. If the Wolverines lose to Rutgers this weekend, then there definitely needs to be some panic in Whittingham's voice because a loss could cost him his job, given how much Michigan is favored.
The Wolverines opened as a major favorite against the struggling Scarlet Knights, and that line really hasn't budged. Rutgers is just 2-5 this season, with only one win in Big Ten play, and Whittingham better hope Michigan doesn't give the Scarlet Knights their second.
The offense has been incredibly underwhelming all season long, and if Tommy Carr can't get things going against the worst defense in the conference, then Michigan has bigger problems than anyone really thought.
Finals odds for Michigan vs. Rutgers in Week 9
Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Spread
- Rutgers: +16.5 (-112)
- Michigan: -16.5 (-108)
Moneyline
- Rutgers: +500
- Michigan: -700
Total
- O/U: 45.5 (-105/-115)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Michigan's defense could pitch a shutout vs. Rutgers in Week 9
This may sound crazy, especially with how historically bad the Wolverines' offense has looked this season, but Michigan is one of the few teams in the country that has not had a loss by double-digit points. Do you know why that is? Well, it's actually a very easy answer.
The Michigan defense.
Defensive coordinator Jay Hill has done a phenomenal job coming in and coaching an already great defense to become an elite one. Not only is Michigan's defense keeping the offense in games, but it is ranked the No. 3 unit in the country in total defense, further proving how much offensive coordinator Jason Beck is wasting what historic year of defensive play.
Michigan has yet to shut any teams out this season, something that is very hard to do, but with how bad Rutgers is, Hill could challenge his guys to accomplish something rarely done. This defense is honestly good enough to shut out the Scarlet Knights after nearly doing so against the Indiana Hoosiers last week.
The only two drives in regulation that the Hoosiers scored field goals on were from turnovers by the Michigan offense in their own territory. It set up perfect field position that the defense had to step up to. It won't be easy, but with how well this defense is playing, a shutout is not out of the question, and hopefully it will give the offense the confidence it needs to play better.
Add us as a preferred source on Google