Northern Illinois vs. Michigan Betting Line Analysis
The line on the Northern Illinois vs. Michigan game featured a line of Wolverines -27 with around 75% of the action on the Wolverines. Americas Bookie was offering a generous welcome bonus for this game (max bonus $1500 and FREE money on every deposit).
This line has been holding at -27.5 with only an occasional move to the -27.
The Wolverines have relied on a run-based attack while defeating Western Michigan and Washington by a combined 54 points. They'll look to go 3-0 in nonconference games when they play host to Northern Illinois on Saturday.
Michigan ran the ball 43 times for 335 yards and three scores in its 47-14 season-opening victory over the Broncos. The Wolverines expanded their ground-and-pound philosophy in a 31-10 win over the Huskies, rushing 56 times for 343 yards and four touchdowns.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh isn't offering any apologies. The Wolverines moved into the national rankings at No. 25.
"Heard a little bit of noise about it. 'Why so much running? You've got to throw more.' That kind of thing," Harbaugh said. "There's a lot of ways to travel. Some people choose to travel on the ground, some people by air.
"George Patton was able to get his job done on the ground. Neil Armstrong through the air," he added. "Last Saturday night, we chose to grind it out on the ground and were also able to get our mission accomplished."
Quarterback Rocky Lombardi will try for an unprecedented double against the Wolverines. Last season, Lombardi led Michigan State to a 27-24 upset of its in-state rival at Michigan Stadium, throwing for 323 yards and three touchdowns.
Lombardi transferred to Northern Illinois and is now the Huskies' starting quarterback. Just like Saturday's game, his upset with Michigan State last season was at Michigan's famed Big House.
Lombardi passed for 233 yards and a touchdown against Wyoming but was also intercepted three times.
"They really look like they got things going. They're a team on the move, both offensively and defensively," Harbaugh said. "Doing a great job executing, playing their systems."
The teams have only met once, a Wolverines victory in 2005. Michigan is 34-1 all-time against Mid-American Conference opponents.
- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
