With college football season on the horizon, ESPN Chalk's college football experts -- Phil Steele, "Stanford Steve" Coughlin and Chris Fallica -- combine to give you betting previews of the top 25 teams, according to the ESPN College Football Rankings. They break down each team's strengths and weaknesses, along with season win total bets and national title odds.
Odds from Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as of Aug. 22.
Michigan Wolverines
National title odds: 8-1 (opened 15-1)
Season win total: 10
FPI win total projection: 10.3
Phil Steele
Strengths: The Wolverines have had a top-10 defense the last two years, and I actually have them ranked as my No. 5 stop unit this season. They have 105 career starts coming back on the offensive line, and Michigan also has my No. 14 set of receivers.
Weaknesses: All eight of Michigan's positional units are ranked in my magazine, but four don't rank in my top 30: quarterback, running back, linebacker and special teams. The Wolverines lost their top three tacklers on defense, and they're breaking in a new quarterback.
Over/under (10): Michigan could end up a 'dog in three of its last five games, as it plays on the road at Michigan State, Iowa and Ohio State. I think 10 is the limit this year, and I wouldn't take the over.
National title odds (8-1): Michigan opened at 15-1 and has been bet down to 8-1. They are not one of my elite-five teams this year, and they're definitely not worth a future wager at that price.
"Stanford Steve" Coughlin
O/U: Who had more headlines coming into the season than the Wolverines? Whether it was satellite camps, switching their apparel to Jordan Brand, their recruiting day that included Tom Brady on campus or their head coach going back and forth with the likes of Urban Meyer and Nick Saban. It was the offseason of the Maize and Blue all over the country. The bad news for people who don't enjoy the coverage of the team from Ann Arbor is that it's only going to increase.
Look at the start of their season: Hawaii, fresh off a game in Australia, UCF, fresh off an 0-12 season and Colorado, coming off of a season where they lost eight of their last nine games. I would be willing to bet that Michigan is ranked No. 1 at some point this season. The defense is loaded and defensive back Jabrill Peppers might be the best athlete in college football. People will point out that they have a transfer in John O'Korn most likely stepping in to play QB, but they were in the same position last year, and I would put Harbaugh up against anyone when it comes to developing a player at that position.
However, I don't like them to win the conference -- in fact, I don't see them winning their division or even hitting 10 wins, so I'm taking the under.
CFB Playoff odds: With their odds at 8-1 I just don't see the value there, simply because I don't believe they aren't even the best team in their division.
Chris Fallica
O/U: Are the Wolverines this year's Iowa with more talent? Last year, the Hawkeyes parlayed the easiest schedule among Power 5 teams into a Rose Bowl berth. This year, Michigan has the second-easiest schedule among Power 5 teams, and it would be a huge upset if they weren't undefeated when they visit East Lansing on October 29th. It will all come down to how many of the final three road games the Wolverines win; I still don't think they will win in Columbus to finish the season. Will they win at Michigan State and Iowa? The odds will likely say, no, and 10-2 feels right; it's noncommittal, though, and I would stay far away. If you absolutely have to play it, I would take the under.
CFB Playoff odds: Stay far away from this as well, if for no other reason than the public loading up on the Wolverines based on the Harbaugh effect and an easy schedule. If Michigan loses at Ohio State, the Wolverines would certainly be on the outside looking in, as there wouldn't be much schedule support to justify them as a one-loss team in the CFB.