Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Michigan Wolverines 9/23/2023 – On a sunny Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Big Ten football enthusiasts will witness a high-stakes battle as the Michigan Wolverines play host to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Both teams enter this intriguing matchup boasting unblemished 3-0 records, but the Wolverines are riding high as the #2-ranked team in the nation. The anticipation is palpable as kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM EST. The top football betting sites are updated with the latest betting odds for this important game.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Michigan Wolverines 9/23/2023 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, Sept. 23 |
| Time: | 2:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Michigan Stadium |
Greg Schiano vs Jim Harbaugh
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team has been on a roll, notching three consecutive victories, the latest being a triumphant 35-16 win over Virginia Tech in front of their fervent fans at SHI Stadium. Under the guidance of head coach Greg Schiano, Rutgers finds themselves at 3-0 for the third consecutive season, primed for a challenging showdown against Michigan.
In their recent victory, running back Kyle Monangai stole the show with a career-high three touchdowns, amassing an impressive 143 rushing yards. Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt, although limited to 46 yards through the air, contributed a touchdown pass to wide receiver Christian Dremel. Wimsatt showcased his versatility with a career-high 87 rushing yards. Collectively, Rutgers generated 302 total yards of offense, with a significant portion coming from their ground game, and posted a commendable 6-of-13 conversion rate on third downs.
Defensively, linebacker Tyreem Powell led the charge with a career-high 11 tackles, spearheading a unit that forced two turnovers – a fumble recovery by defensive lineman Wesley Bailey and an interception courtesy of defensive back Flip Dixon. The Scarlet Knights applied consistent pressure, recording four tackles for loss, including two sacks. They stifled Virginia Tech’s offensive efforts, holding them to a mere 319 total yards and a meager 5-of-15 on third-down conversions.
Rutgers’ Offensive and Defensive Strengths vs. Michigan’s Undefeated Streak: A Big Ten Clash
As Rutgers prepares to face Michigan, they carry the 77th-ranked offense in the nation. Their strength lies in their potent ground attack, currently ranked 16th nationally. However, the Scarlet Knights’ aerial game has struggled, placing them at a lowly 121st in passing efficiency through three games. On the defensive front, Rutgers has excelled, boasting the 13th-ranked total defense, with the 15th-ranked run defense and the 41st-ranked pass defense.
Additionally, Rutgers has demonstrated commendable ball security, ranking 19th in turnover differential at +1.3. They have also maintained discipline in terms of penalties, ranking 19th in penalties per game. This attention to detail is vital for a team that heavily relies on its ground game to control the tempo.
The Michigan Wolverines, now standing at a pristine 3-0, secured their latest victory with a convincing 31-6 triumph over Bowling Green last Saturday. This win marked the conclusion of a three-game suspension for head coach Jim Harbaugh, who returned to helm the #2-ranked Wolverines just in time for their Big Ten opener.
Michigan’s Strong Second Half Surge Propels Them to Victory Over Bowling Green
Michigan faced some early adversity in their game against Bowling Green, leading by just one point, 7-6, as halftime approached. However, they rallied to score the game’s final 24 points, securing a comfortable victory. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, while experiencing some initial struggles with three interceptions in the first half, finished the game 8-of-13 with two touchdowns. Wide receiver Roman Wilson contributed with two receptions for 42 yards, including his sixth touchdown catch of the season. Cornelius Johnson led the Wolverines’ receiving corps with 71 yards on three catches. The Wolverines showcased their offensive firepower on the ground, accumulating 169 of their 312 total yards from rushing. Running back Blake Corum led the charge with 101 rushing yards and two scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Wolverines held Bowling Green to just two field goals and 205 yards of total offense. Kris Jenkins secured his first career interception, setting up a second-half score, while linebacker Michael Barrett recovered a fumble that led to a field goal. The defense forced three turnovers in total, recorded three sacks, and achieved 10 tackles for loss. In the second half, they stifled Bowling Green, limiting them to a mere 85 yards without allowing any points.
NCAAF Latest Odds: Michigan Wolverines -24
Michigan enters this matchup with the 48th-ranked offense in college football, striving for improvement on both the ground (54th) and through the air (58th). Despite their struggles against Bowling Green, the Wolverines possess experience and depth on offense, offering optimism for continued growth. Defensively, Michigan boasts the 3rd-ranked defense in the country, including the 22nd-ranked run defense and the 9th-ranked pass defense.
However, the Wolverines face a significant challenge regarding ball security, ranking just 77th in the nation after last week’s three-turnover display. In terms of penalties per game, Michigan maintains discipline, standing at 13th in the nation.
Rutgers Betting Trends
“Rutgers are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games.
Scarlet Knights are 4-8 SU in their last 12 games.
Rutgers are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games against Michigan.
Rutgers are 0-8 SU in their last 8 games against Michigan.
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Rutgers’ last 13 games on the road.
Rutgers are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games against an opponent in the Big Ten conference.”
Michigan Betting Trends
“Michigan are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Michigan’s last 18 games.
Michigan are 16-1 SU in their last 17 games.
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Michigan’s last 9 games against Rutgers.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Michigan’s last 5 games at home.
Michigan are 15-0 SU in their last 15 games against an opponent in the Big Ten conference.”
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Michigan Wolverines Betting Pick
While Rutgers has showcased an impressive 3-0 record and demonstrated strength in recent weeks, facing the #2-ranked Michigan Wolverines on their home turf presents an entirely different challenge. Michigan boasts the 3rd-ranked defense in the nation and is expected to load the box, challenging Rutgers to excel through the air. Unfortunately for the Scarlet Knights, their passing game ranks just 121st in the country. If they struggle to establish their ground game, it could be a daunting day.
Michigan, led by the experienced Jim Harbaugh, will return to its disciplined and secure style of play, reducing turnovers and controlling the line of scrimmage with a dominant ground game. Expect a statement performance from the Wolverines in their first Big Ten conference game, likely resulting in a victory by at least four touchdowns. As the anticipation builds for this thrilling matchup, fans can look forward to witnessing how these two undefeated teams will fare in this pivotal Big Ten showdown. The best online sportsbook predictions are in favor of Michigan to secure a victory in this game.
