This will be the most contrarian I get all year.  I like Michigan!  That’s right, the Wolverines.  After a horrible start to the season and blowout losses to average (some below average) teams, I’m putting my trust in a team, when in August would have been 13 point favorites against the Rutgers. 

I believe getting the hell out of Ann Arbor is exactly what this team needs.  If there’s ever been a time where a high profile program like Michigan needs a win, this would be it.  The fans are calling for Brady Hoke to be fired, but the players seem to really like their coach and have been vocal in defending him.  Of course there’s no way Hoke dares to start Shane Morris, so Devin Gardner will return behind center where he had started 16 consecutive regular-season games before last week.  Therefore, I don’t expect Gardner to be rattled for this sold out game.

Without running back Paul James, I believe the Rutgers will have a hard time offensively in establishing the pass.   Although Michigan has not played well, they still rank 9^th overall in total defense, giving up only 105 rushing yards per game. Right now the Wolverines average 3 turnovers a game.  You can’t win with those types of mistakes, but if they take care of the football, it should put them back in the winner’s circle.

With only 29% of the country believing in Michigan, it’s a great time to prove the critics wrong and beat the Rutgers.  I’ve had much bigger predictions than this, so why does this feel like such a long shot.  I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Consider: Michigan +2

Greg Smith is a sports handicapper at Only Best Bets and writer for The Saturday Edge. You can follow Greg on Twitter throughout the college football season @onlybestbets.