The NCAAF season is entering the second half with Week 7 games on Saturday, October 15, including this Big Ten tilt, so make sure you don’t forget to read the best Nittany Lions vs. Wolverines betting pick and odds.

Both Penn State and Michigan are hoping to stay unbeaten when they meet at Michigan Stadium. The Wolverines are 7-point favorites on Bovada Sportsbook, while the total is set at 52 points. These conference foes have met once in 2021, and the Wolverines won that game 21-17 in University Park, PA.

Nittany Lions beat the Wildcats to stay perfect

The Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0, 3-2 ATS) maintained their perfect start of the season after defeating the Northwestern Wildcats 17-7 at home. It was a season-low in points scored, but also a season-low in points allowed for Penn State, which is now one of three undefeated Big Ten teams, including Michigan. The Nittany Lions did commit even five turnovers opposite Northwestern’s three but were better in total yards (360-241), first downs (21-12), and possession (37:28-22:32).

Sean Clifford completed ten of 20 passes for 140 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Brenton Strange was on the receiving end of that TD pass, while Parker Washington led all the receivers with 73 yards on four receptions. Nicholas Singleton was the best running back in this tilt as he finished with 87 yards and a score on 21 carries. On defense, PJ Mustipher led Penn State with eight tackles.

Wolverines stay atop of the Big Ten with a win over Indiana

The Michigan Wolverines (6-0, 3-3 ATS) are back home after securing a pair of road victories over the Iowa Hawkeyes and Indiana Hoosiers. Michigan still has a perfect record and won all three games in conference play, and the Hoosiers didn’t really test them in the most recent one. The Wolverines kept the hosts off the scoreboard in the second half to record a 31-10 win. The visitors dominated the total yards (469-222), first downs (26-21), and possession (37:53-22:07).

J.J. McCarthy completed 28 of 36 passes for 304 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Cornelius Johnson with two and Luke Schoonmaker with one receiving touchdown contributed to this win, while Ronnie Bell led all the receivers with 121 yards on 11 catches. On the ground, Blake Corum was unstoppable with 124 yards on 25 attempts. Defensively, Michigan recorded seven sacks opposite Indiana’s zero. Michael Barrett and Junior Colson led the team with seven tackles and one sack apiece.

QB Cade McNamara (leg) is out indefinitely, while TE Erick All (undisclosed) and WR Roman Wilson (concussion) are questionable to face Penn State on Saturday.

Trends:

Penn State:

  • 1-5 ATS in the last six games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game
  • 1-4 ATS in the last five games after allowing less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game
  • 2-5 ATS in the last seven games in October

Michigan:

  • 14-6 ATS in the last 20 games overall
  • 9-3 ATS in the last 12 conference games
  • 7-2 ATS in the last nine games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game

Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Michigan Wolverines Pick  

Michigan is a better team in almost every segment on both offense and defense. The Wolverines are scoring 43.0 ppg, which is a top 15 offense, and have a top 5 defense which allows 11.3 ppg. The hosts are a top 20 rushing team with 212.3 ypg, and I am backing Blake Corum to have another strong outing on Saturday. Penn State scores 34.4 ppg and allows 14.8 ppg, which is pretty impressive, but it’s not going to be enough to avoid a defeat at Michigan Stadium.

Pick: Take the Wolverines at -6.5 (-110)

The Total

Michigan scored at least 27 points in each of its six games this season, and even though the Wolverines are facing the defense that allows nearly 15 ppg, I do expect them to score 20+ here. Still, considering that these rivals combine for 400+ rushing yards per game, I believe it will be a lot of clock-eating drives, and I doubt we will have more than 52 points. Under is 6-2 in the Nittany Lions’ last eight conference games; Under is 15-5-1 in Penn State’s previous 21 games following an ATS loss, while Under is 6-1 in the Wolverines’ last seven games overall.

Pick: Go Under 52.5 points (-120)