UConn at Michigan Odds: College Football Lines Week 1

Rich Rodriguez enters his third and most critical season at Michigan under intense fire and with a dangerous opening game versus a top contender from the Big East Conference. The Michigan Wolverines will open the re-modeled “Big House” against the Connecticut Huskies with a kick-off on ABC TV set for 3:30pm EST. Michigan has opened at online sportsbooks as a 3-point favorite in college football odds with an over/under betting total set at 52. The UConn Huskies are coming off their third consecutive bowl season in 2009 as they went 8-5 in college football betting as they rallied to win their final four games that were climaxed by a bowl win over South Carolina.

UConn had to go through the tragic death of defensive back Jasper Howard and lost 3 gut wrenching games in the final moments. With 8 starters back on both sides of the line led by senior QB Zach Frazier improvement is expected and likely as 12th year coach Randy Edsall fields the finest team of his tenure. UConn had an average score last year of 31-24 and that figures to get better. Last year the Huskies were 5-0 against the spread in college football lines both as road underdogs and in non conference action.

Rodriguez has presided over the worst two year stretch in Michigan history as he went 3-9 in 2008 and 5-7 last year after a promising 4-0 start. QB is unsettled as last year’s starter Tate Forcier has faced strong challenges in camp. Defense may be the key with 8 starters back on a unit that allowed 27 PPG. The offense returns 7 starters who have a far better idea on how to play the Rich-Rod system. UM has gone 2-7 ATS in college football lines as a home betting favorite since 2008. UConn is a seasoned program with experienced and confidence while Michigan is reeling and in need of a great start to change the aura of the program.