Michigan Wolverines 2016 College Football Betting Preview, Championship Odds

Five years ago, Michigan won 11 games in its first season under a new head coach, Brady Hoke. From there, it was all downhill. Last year, the Wolverines won 10 games in their first season under another new head coach. This time, though, they're in much better position to build upon that quick start under Jim Harbaugh.

2015 Michigan record: 10-3 SU, 7-6 ATS

2016 regular-season wins over/under: 9.5

2016 odds to win Big Ten: +175

Odds to win national championship: +1000

Last Year in Review

Harbaugh brought his rehab talents to Ann Arbor last year and got immediate results, taking a team that went 5-7 in 2014 to 10-3 and a bowl victory. The Michigan defense tossed three straight shutouts early in the season, and the Wolverines had Michigan State beat until the crazy blocked punt at the end. Michigan later laid an egg in a home loss to Ohio State but bounced back to bury Florida 41-7 in the Citrus Bowl to reach double digits in wins for just the second time over the last nine seasons.

This Year in Preview

The Wolverines return 14 starters this season, which is actually one fewer than they had going into last season. Eight starters are back on offense, including last year's leading rusher, top three receivers and four along the offensive line. And while they have to replace their starting quarterback, Jake Rudock, transfer John O'Korn threw 28 touchdown passes for Houston three seasons ago. Six starters are back on defense, although the Wolverines have to replace last year's top three tacklers.

Michigan averaged 396 yards per game on offense last year and could improve upon that this year. Defensively, the Wolverines held foes to just 281 YPG last year, but that figure will be tough to top.

Michigan 2016 Schedule

The Wolverines open with five straight home games this season and should be 7-0 heading into their showdown with the Spartans in East Lansing on October 29. Two weeks later, Michigan visits West Division favorite Iowa, and two weeks after that they finish with a trip to the Horseshoe to battle the Buckeyes. Pencil in the Wolverines for nine victories, but their whole season will come down to those last three road dates.

Betting on the Wolverines

It looks like Michigan is back to being Michigan, and unfortunately that offers virtually no betting value on the college football futures. The Wolverines almost have to run the table in the Big Ten, and they can't even get 2-1 on a conference championship board? The best place to play Michigan may be on the road, where they might be lined as an underdog three times.