Tim Michael – Expert Sports Handicapper

T.M. Selection: Michigan.

I like Michigan to cover the spread against Rutgers on Saturday. Michigan has looked good this season on both offense and defense and they look like they are getting back to that powerhouse team that they used to be. All of their wins this season have been by 21+ points, their most impressive one was a 31-10 win over Washington. They pretty much ripped out Washington's game plan in that one and used it against them as they were able to tear their defense up in the run game while stopping it themselves with their defense. This will be their first conference game this season and they will be out to make a statement in this game. Michigan is not just looking for a Big 10 title at this point, they want consideration for the college football playoffs so I expect them to win their games in blowout fashion, especially these important conference ones. Rutgers has also been winning their games by a large margin but between Temple and Syracuse, those are the toughest opponents they have faced this season and they only came away with a 10 point win over the Orange. Michigan has a solid defense and will be able to stop the Rutgers offense here. They also have a very good running game and a smart quarterback who makes good decisions when he throws the ball. I like Michigan to cover the spread here.

T.M. Prediction: 42-10 Michigan.

T.M. Selection: Iowa.

I like Iowa to cover the spread against Colorado State on Saturday. Iowa has had some strong showings in their first few games to start the season here. They have an upset win over their rival Iowa State by 10 points in a shocker. They also have a 28 point win over Indiana and a 23 point win over Kent State, both of those games were at home. Colorado State bounced back with a big win over Toledo last week but they still have 2 home losses to Vanderbilt and to South Dakota State. Iowa has a good defense which will make it difficult for the Rams to move the ball on the road here. The only game Colorado State won this season, they were able to run the ball in it. Iowa has not allowed any of their opponents to rush for 100+ total yards in a game against them this season. Iowa will be able to stunt their offense and pull away themselves on the scoreboard. I like Iowa to cover this spread here at home.

T.M. Prediction: 35-3 Iowa.

T.M. Selection: Georgia.

I like Georgia to cover the spread against Vanderbilt on Saturday. Georgia is ranked 2nd in the country and they are coming off of some wins by large margins after getting their 10-7 win over Clemson in week 1. Their defense held UAB to 7 points winning that game by 49 and they held South Carolina to 13 winning that one by 27. Vanderbilt is one of the worst teams in the SEC, if not the worst. They just lost by 18 at home to Stanford and the Cardinal is no where near as good as Georgia. What's even worse is they opened the season with a 20 point loss at home to East Tennessee State. Georgia has one of the best defenses in the country and it will be tough for Vanderbilt to find ways to score here. Georgia likes to throw the ball so they will be good for some quick scores to go up a lot here but their defense will also be keeping the Commodores in check. I like Georgia to cover the spread here as they will keep Vanderbilt off the scoreboard for quite some time.

T.M. Prediction: 48-7 Georgia.