blake-corum.jpg
USATSI

The No. 2 Michigan Wolverines begin what they hope is a national championship campaign on Saturday when they host the East Carolina Pirates. Coach Jim Harbaugh will serve the first of a three-game suspension, while offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore is also suspended for this game. Both suspensions are related to a violation of NCAA rules. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will serve as the head coach. The changes on the sideline aren't likely to impact the ultimate outcome of this game, though they could play into betting strategy with the Wolverines heavily favored. 

Kickoff at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor is set for noon ET. The Wolverines are 36-point favorites in the latest Michigan vs. East Carolina odds, per SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 52.5. Before making any East Carolina vs. Michigan picks, be sure to check out the college football predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model. 

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $2,500 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Michigan vs. East Carolina and just locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college football odds and betting lines for ECU vs. Michigan:

  • Michigan vs. East Carolina spread: Michigan -36
  • Michigan vs. East Carolina over/under: 52.5 points
  • Michigan vs. East Carolina money line: Michigan -10000, East Carolina +1900
  • Michigan vs. East Carolina picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why Michigan can cover 

Michigan has national title aspirations because the Wolverines return 15 starters -- including offensive stars quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running back Blake Corum. Both are generating some Heisman buzz in the preseason. Michigan should be among the nation's best defensively with linebacker Junior Colson, defensive lineman Kris Jenkins and cornerback Will Johnson headlining that side of the ball. 

The Wolverines blitzed through three early non-conference foes early last season, beating Colorado State, Hawaii and UConn by a combined score of 166-17. The talent disparity might not be quite as large in this matchup, but ECU does have a lot rebuilding to do with quarterback Holton Ahlers and running back Keaton Mitchell moving on to the NFL. See which team to pick here. 

Why East Carolina can cover

The coaching absences could lead to some miscues throughout the contest, which would make it difficult to cover this large of a spread. They are expected to feature a run-heavy attack that will bleed the clock, especially since the clock does not stop after first downs this season. 

East Carolina has momentum entering the season after recording its first bowl win since 2013. The Pirates covered the spread in four of their final six games last year and have covered in seven of their last 10 road games. They opened the 2022 season as double-digit underdogs as well, nearly pulling off the outright upset in a 21-20 loss to North Carolina State. See which team to pick here.

How to make Michigan vs. East Carolina picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total. It has also generated an against-the-spread pick that hits in over 50% of simulations. You can only get the model's picks at SportsLine. 

So who wins East Carolina vs. Michigan, and which side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Michigan vs. East Carolina spread to jump on, all from the advanced computer model that's up nearly $2,500 on its top-rated college football spread picks since its inception, and find out.