The top offshore sportsbooks favor the Michigan Wolverines over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish by a field goal. Maybe because UM head coach Jim Harbaugh used to talk business, and now means business. According to the Bristol Herald Courier, Harbaugh is sort of footballs answer to Charles Foster Kane. He would once “give’em the old razzle dazzle,” as the song goes. “Harbaugh lived in front of a camera, preferably with his shirt off.” So kind of like Vladimir Putin. These days, he prefers to keep a much lower profile. However, he hasn’t been reduced to aimlessly roaming the vast halls of a Cyclopean residence. On the contrary, he’s busy behind the scenes, like the Wizard behind the curtain. He means business. But when talks business, he keeps it short and sweet. To wit: “the improvement will lead to success, will lead to championships.”
Betting Michigan
Michigan players have certainly found success on an individual basis. In fact, four of them made ESPN’s Top 50 for 2018. First, defensive end Rashan Gary at No. 8. Second, linebacker Devin Bust at No. 22. Third, QB Shea Patterson at No. 25. And fourth, defensive end Chase Winovich at No. 46. The fact that three of them are defensive players is a testament to the strength of UM’s secondary. Gary “has great speed and impeccable footwork for a 285-pound pass-rusher.” Bush has “good instincts and a fearsome attitude.” And Winovich “built on a solid 2016 season by boosting many of his key stats.”
In offense, Patterson is not only expected to win the starting spot. The University of Michigan hopes the former Ole Miss signal-caller leads the Wolverines to a Big 10 championship. At the very least. Patterson threw for 3139 yards with 23 TDs and 12 interceptions in two seasons in Mississippi. Now all that’s left to see is whether the Wolverines can parlay their individual achievements into collective success.
Betting Notre Dame
And speaking of testaments to the strength of a secondary unit, Our Lady of the Lake. Notre Dame’s defense is arguably on par with that of the Fighting Irish which made the 2012 BCS title game. “They are a very confident group,” head coach Brian Kelly said. “I think depth at the safety and cornerback position. I like our rotations on the defensive line. If there’s one concern, it’s finding the depth at the linebacker position. That would be probably my only concern.”
Kelly has bigger concerns on the offensive side of things. Offensive guard Quenton Nelson (Unanimous All-American) was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts. Offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey (Consensus All-American) was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers. Wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (92 receptions for 1,484 yards and 13 touchdowns) was drafted by the Green Bay Packers. And running back Josh Adams (1169 rushing yards on 132 carries) signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. Thus, it will be up to the secondary to keep the Irish within that three-point spread set by the top offshore sportsbooks.
Michigan Wolverines vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Sportsbook Odds and Info
- Date: September 1, 2018
- Time: 7:30 pm
- Venue: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN
- Best online sportsbooks odds from MyBookie.ag:
- MICHIGAN -3 (-105)
- NOTRE DAME +3 (-115)
Top offshore sportsbooks betting trends
- The Wolverines are 3-3 SU in their last six games.
- The Wolverines are 3-2 ATS in their last five games.
- The total has gone over in five of the Wolverines’ last eight games.
- The Irish are 3-2 SU in their last five games.
- The Irish are 1-4 ATS in their last five games.
- The total has gone over in four of the Irish’s last six games.
