The oddsmaker speaks: Why Michigan is favored by one point against Illinois
The Illinois football team won its first six games, but has lost its last three.
Associated Press
So it's not a surprise that the Michigan at Illinois game Saturday (3:30 pm., ABC) is expected to be close. Oddsmakers generally have Michigan listed as a one-point favorite
Bodog Sportsbook manager Richard Gardner on the Michigan at Illinois game:
"The biggest factor influencing this week's line is the injuries to the Michigan Wolverines at some key positions. Both Denard Robinson and Fitz Toussaint have been banged up this season and we believe will not be as effective as they could be. If both were 100 percent healthy then we would have set the line with Michigan as a 2.5- to 3-point favorite considering that there is a big Michigan following at our sportsbook."
What do you think?
Comments
Tru2Blu76
Fri, Nov 11, 2011 : 7:56 a.m.
Good luck, Wolverines, you really need it now.
A2D2
Thu, Nov 10, 2011 : 11:45 p.m.
"Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty; I'm free at last!" - Denard Robinson (after he was allowed to go back to a spread attack) Seriously, if Denard is released from the St. Borgas Nunnery then UMich wins handily. If not, then can you say, "Iowa 2.0"?
MRunner73
Thu, Nov 10, 2011 : 8:13 p.m.
Both teams look even. The injury list is growing for the Wolverines. We can only hope these injuries will not significantly slow down Michigan. The only up side is that many of the players injured are practicing or the would not be cleared to play this weekend. I see this as a close game but if Denard executes better and we get some help from any one of our tailbacks plus good catches from our recievers, then Michigan can win. Lots of ifs. I think the Michigan defense will make the key stops. We have injuries on that side of the ball so let's hope for the best. Michigan need to score first or at least have the lead at half time in order to win. GO BLUE!!!
Macabre Sunset
Thu, Nov 10, 2011 : 6:54 p.m.
The line seems fair. Illinois is a good team, and is playing at home. Michigan has a back-loaded schedule, and Robinson is not playing well.
Wally the Wolverine
Thu, Nov 10, 2011 : 5:27 p.m.
Our home cookin' certainly helped us in the shootout last year. As Jeff Blue pointed out, there are a lot of things stacked up against us. Is the team truly "over" the Iowa loss from last Saturday? A lot of fans still aren't. Some of the media were asking the players & coaches to comment on the officiating as recent as yesterday. Are our boys having a week of good practices? This is a MUST win. A victory would give Blue a positive frame of mind for the remainder of the schedule. A loss could put them in another season ending downward spiral - something I can't bear the thought of.
Craig Lounsbury
Thu, Nov 10, 2011 : 5:05 p.m.
Its worth noting when Vegas sets odds their goal is strictly to get 1/2 the money on each side of the number. They aren't gamblers. They are merely middle men who collect a fee to take money from losers and give it to winners. They neither care who wins nor by how much.
jeff blue
Thu, Nov 10, 2011 : 4:25 p.m.
THIS IS A TRUE GAMBLE. A game like this can easily go either way. Clearly, Michigan has the more talented team, but there are many things working against us: The Biting Illini are at home. Road teams have had trouble all season in the B10. Michigan does have some important injuries. No one can predict the turnovers, strange bounces, or bad officiating. Illinios has a good defense. But, we scored 67 points on these guys last year. Once again a high scoring game favors us. It will be blue vs blue on Saturday..... Jeff