For only the second time in history, all five Division I football teams from Michigan, including Michigan and Michigan State, have been selected to play in bowl games. To say it’s unexpected is an understatement, as none of the five played in a bowl game last season and none of them were ranked in the preseason in 2021.
Many fans will be focused on the Wolverines’ chance for a College Football Playoff title, and Michigan State’s unlikely Peach Bowl game, but there are several intriguing contests to entertain college football fans in Michigan this December.
Here is a quick look at each game plus all of the noteworthy betting odds.
Michigan Vs. Georgia: Orange Bowl, Dec. 31
The Wolverines, hot off impressive wins over Ohio State and Iowa that resulted in their first Big Ten title in 18 years, are playing in the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history. The Bulldogs were ranked No. 1 the entire season until losing to Alabama in the SEC title game. The Orange Bowl will be the third meeting between Michigan and Georgia and the first since 1965.
Betting Odds
- Michigan is listed as a 7.5-point underdog by DraftKings Michigan.
- DraftKings lists Michigan at +250 on the moneyline. Georgia is -320.
- The total is rather low as we sit more than three weeks out from the Orange Bowl (43.5)
Also Read: Michigan sports betting sets revenue record in October
Central Michigan Vs. Boise State: Arizona Bowl, Dec. 31
The other Michigan school that will take the field for a bowl game on New Year’s Eve is the Chips, who are big underdogs to Boise State. Coming off four straight wins, CMU recorded eight wins this season, but mostly beat up on MAC opponents. The Chippewas boast the leading rusher in Div. 1. Redshirt freshman running back Lew Nichols scampered for 1,710 yards.
Betting Odds
- CMU is listed as a 9.5-point underdog by BetMGM Michigan.
- The Chippewas have a moneyline price of +280 at BetMGM, while Boise State is priced at -375.
- BetMGM lists the total at 53.
Also Read: BetMGM Michigan offering additional free $50 bet for new users
Michigan State vs. Pittsburgh: Peach Bowl, Dec. 30
The Spartans draw ACC champion Pitt in a fascinating Peach Bowl contest that will feature the return of Pat Narduzzi to face his old team. Narduzzi led the Panthers to their first ACC title, and now he squares off with MSU, where he was defensive coordinator until 2014. His Pitt team airs the ball out, featuring wideout Jordan Addison, who caught 17 TDs and amassed nearly 1,500 yards receiving. The Spartans are not fancy on offense. Heisman Trophy candidate RB Kenneth Walker III (1,646 yards and 18 TDs) will carry the ball a lot.
Betting Odds
- Caesars Michigan Sportsbook has landed Pittsburgh as a 3.5-point favorite in this matchup.
- Michigan State’s moneyline is listed at +155 by Caesars. The moneyline is -180 for Pitt.
- The total has been set at 63 points by Caesars for this game in which Walker and Addison should find the end zone a lot.
Also Read: Caesars Michigan Sportsbook Promo Offer – Bet on NBA, Get Free NBA Jersey
Western Michigan vs. Nevada: Quick Lane Bowl, Dec. 27
The MAC is sending a record eight teams to bowl games this season, including Western Michigan. The Broncos are in a bowl game for the sixth time in the last eight seasons but could be considered the lesser of the three Michigan MAC schools this season, having lost to both CMU and EMU in 2021. They enter their bowl matchup with Nevada a bit bruised and have lost three of their last five.
Betting Odds
- The Broncos opened as 6.5-point underdogs at BetRivers Michigan but have been bet all the way down to +2.5.
- If you want to bet Western Michigan to win the game, you can get a moneyline price of +112 at BetRivers. The moneyline price for Nevada is -137.
- Both offenses in the Quick Lane Bowl are explosive, and the total is set at a lofty 61.5 by BetRivers, though it opened at 65.5.
Eastern Michigan vs. Liberty: Lending Tree Bowl, Dec. 18
EMU advances to a bowl game for the fourth time since 2016, but the Eagles have lost all three previous trips under head coach Chris Creighton in bowl action. The only bowl game they’ve won came in the 1987 California Bowl. This matchup will allow the Eagles a chance for an up-close look at highly touted quarterback Malik Willis of Liberty. Willis is projected as a first-round NFL pick next year.
Betting Odds
- FOX Bet Michigan lists Eastern Michigan as an underdog of more than a touchdown at 8.5 points, but Liberty has lost three straight games and may have a confidence problem.
- If you want to take a shot on the Eagles to win the game outright, you can get a moneyline price of +250 at FOX Bet. If you want to take the Flames, you’ll have to lay -300.
- The total is set at 57.5 points by FOX Bet.
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