Michigan vs TCU Prediction, Top Odds & Best Betting Pick

Michigan vs TCU Prediction : The Betting Preview

Back-to-back Big Ten champion Michigan will take on TCU in the first College Football Playoff game kicking off at 4pm ET on December 31st. The Horned Frogs failed to take home the Big 12 Championship losing their first game of the season to Kansas State 31-28 in overtime.

WagerTalk college football analysis Kyle Kargel gives his Michigan vs TCU betting breakdown and his Michigan vs TCU prediction for this massive game, this huge college football playoff semifinal. Check out the Michigan vs TCU odds below.

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Saturday, December 31	College Football Playoff Betting Notes
Point Spread:	Michigan Wolverines -9 vs TCU Horned Frogs
Total:	o/u 60 Points
Location:	State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ
Game Time:	4:00pm ET / 1:00pm PT (Odds Above Courtesy of DraftKings)
TV:	ESPN

Michigan vs TCU Prediction: The Betting Analysis

Michigan and TCU had opposite results when it came to their respective conference championship games. After a somewhat slow start against Purdue, the Wolverines took care of business in the second half outscoring the Boilermakers 29-9 en route to a 43-22 win.

Aside from scoring the opening game touchdown the Horned Frogs were playing from behind against Kansas State in the Big 12 Championship eventually losing 31-28 in overtime.

TCU quarterback Max Duggan was playing hurt towards the end of the game dealing with a number of external cuts and bruises including a gash near his elbow that seemed to annoy him for most of the 4th quarter and overtime.

He should be back at 100% by the time their College Football Playoff matchup goes down against the Wolverines on December 31st from Glendale. Which carries great importance when considering a Michigan vs TCU prediction and choosing the best betting pick.

Michigan Wolverines Running Wild

The Wolverines have only allowed 13 points per game (5th nationally) this season although four out of the last five opponents Michigan have faced have scored over this number.

They only allow 191 yards passing per game (22nd nationally), 85 rush yards per game (3rd nationally) and 277 total yards per game (3rd nationally) but as mentioned have been tested more recently than earlier in the season.

The offense is led by their rushing attack that hasn’t missed a beat since star running back Blake Corum went down with an injury against Illinois. Big Ten Championship Game MVP Donovan Edwards has picked up the slack in his absence rushing for a combined 401 yards and three touchdowns in the teams past two games.

He’ll look for a big game once again against a TCU defense that has allowed 149 yards on the ground this season which only ranked 5th in the Big 12.

Quarterback JJ McCarthy has done a great job compared to earlier in the season limiting mistakes, only throwing for three total interceptions this season. Sure he’s only thrown for 20 touchdowns but like I said, this offense is fueled by their rushing attack in which he contributes to as well.

Duggan Can’t Do it All For TCU

If the Horned Frogs want any shot of winning in this game, they have to get running back Keandre Miller going who has rushed for 1,342 yards and a whopping 17 touchdowns so far this season. He has seven games in which he’s rushed for over 100 yards but none in the team’s past three games.

Duggan can’t do it all himself as we saw what happened in the Big 12 Championship when he feels like he has to do so. He was the team’s leading rusher in that game going for 110 yards on the ground and one touchdown.

Starting the season as a backup, Duggan has flourished in his starting role throwing for 30 touchdowns and only four interceptions this season totaling 3,321 yards through the air.

Michigan’s pass defense will be tested no doubt as the Horned Frogs have five different pass catchers who have totaled four or more receiving touchdowns this season. TCU allows 25 points per game this season but haven’t faced an offensive line and rushing attack as strong as the Wolverines this season.

Michigan vs TCU Prediction

Both teams have solid against the spread records this season with the Horned Frogs sitting at 9-3-1 and Wolverines at 8-4-1 so I’m looking at going over the total of 60 in this game with both offenses clicking on all cylinders.

I lean towards Michigan covering but think the over of 60 has an easier chance of cashing. Look for Michigan to continue their revenge tour winning by a score around 42-30.

Prediction: Over 60 Points Scored

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