{"id":79673,"date":"2014-07-14T07:55:38","date_gmt":"2014-07-14T14:55:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.capperspicks.com\/blog\/?p=79673"},"modified":"2014-07-14T07:55:38","modified_gmt":"2014-07-14T14:55:38","slug":"michigan-wolverines-2014-gambling-odds-predictions-14714","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/capperspicks.com\/blog\/ncaa-football\/michigan-wolverines-2014-gambling-odds-predictions-14714\/","title":{"rendered":"Michigan Wolverines 2014 NCAA Football Gambling Odds & Predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"

2014-15 Football Previews – (Big 10) – Wolverines<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Michigan fans are never going to be satisfied with a 7-6 season. Brady Hoke came in and turned the program around right away, but now Michigan is struggling to keep their success going under Hoke. In his first year, the team went 11-2. In the past two years, they have gone 8-5 and then 7-6. <\/p>\n

Big Ten 2014-2015 College Football Preview – Michigan Wolverines<\/a><\/strong> (Link)
\nHead Coach: Brady Hoke<\/strong>
\n2013 Record: 7-6<\/strong>
\nMichigan Odds to win the National Championship: +8,000<\/strong>
\nSeason Win Total: 7.5<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

He isn\u2019t on the hot seat quite yet, but if Hoke doesn\u2019t come through with a better season this year, you better believe there is going to be pressure on him. The fans in Ann Arbor don\u2019t give anyone very long when the team toils in mediocrity. Michigan has a difficult schedule to navigate through this year, but the Wolverines do have a solid nucleus.<\/p>\n

Team Strengths:<\/h3>\n

Michigan\u2019s secondary is stacked. The Wolverines may be the best in the Big Ten in this area. Blake Countess is probably the best cover corner in the Big Ten, and he is an excellent ball hawk.\u00a0 Five of their top eight from this group from last year return, and freshman Jabril Peppers is going to be a star at the free safety position.<\/p>\n

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Check out our in-house Handicapper!!! Buy Razor Ray’s College Picks in 2014!<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s going to be tough to throw on Michigan this year.<\/p>\n

The Wolverines are also in great shape at the linebacker position. Michigan will have leader Jake Ryan back and healthy this year. Ryan is my number one rated linebacker in the Big Ten heading into the season. He is the heart and soul of the defense, and when he was out last year it was evident that he was badly missed.<\/p>\n

Devin Gardner struggled early last year, but he really came on late in the season. Gardner will have a better offensive line in front of him, as well as quality skill position players. I expect an impressive senior season out of Gardner.
\n[soliloquy id=”82219″]
\nIn addition, Shane Morris is a high quality backup and he gives Michigan some impressive depth at this position.<\/p>\n

Team Weaknesses:<\/h3>\n

Michigan hasn\u2019t had a good running back since Mike Hart left several years ago. The Wolverines are attempting to run a pro style offense, but it\u2019s hard to be highly successful in a pro style offense when you aren\u2019t able to run the ball. It puts too much pressure on the quarterback.<\/p>\n

Fitz Toussaint is gone and Derrick Green is the new starter here. I\u2019m not high on the Wolverines running backs in 2014.<\/p>\n

The linebackers and secondary are great, but Michigan\u2019s defensive front four aren\u2019t up to their normal standards. Michigan is usually very strong in the trenches, but that isn\u2019t the case this season. Frank Clark hasn\u2019t lived up to the hype surrounding him, and the rest of the line isn\u2019t terribly talented.<\/p>\n

The biggest glaring weakness here is Michigan truly doesn\u2019t have a defensive tackle that is a run stopper. Opponents may find running room against this front line.<\/p>\n

2014-2015 Michigan Football Prediction: 8-5<\/h3>\n

Michigan should be a little better than they were a year ago. Ryan staying healthy is key, because he is a beast who can dominate a game. With the great linebackers and secondary, Michigan should be in a lot of games even against top opponents.<\/p>\n

I do worry about their ability to win close games since they can\u2019t run the ball very well or stop the run particularly well.<\/p>\n

In the end, I expect a slight improvement from the team, but don\u2019t look for a huge season from the Wolverines.<\/p>\n

Michigan\u00a0Football Schedule<\/h3>\n