Michigan vs Arkansas State Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines

Michigan can’t get caught napping after losing a regular season college football game for the first time since the 2021 season.

Texas came to town last week and rolled up a too-easy 31-12 win - it was the first loss for the Wolverines in Ann Arbor since the end of the six-game 2020 run.

There’s time for Michigan to right the ship with USC coming to town next week, and there’s still a chance the defending national champs can get to 10-2, but it starts here

Arkansas State and head coach Butch Jones have a nice team. It got by Central Arkansas and Tulsa to start the year, next week it goes to Iowa State, and … it might be in for a long day if Michigan is ticked off. But …

Michigan vs Arkansas State Preview

Michigan vs Arkansas State How to Watch
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
Venue: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
How to Watch: BTN
Michigan (1-1), Arkansas State (2-0)
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Why Arkansas State Will Win

Just how down is Michigan?

Again, the Texas game was a kick in the gut for a rebuilding program coming off all of the fun of last year. Just how much will Michigan be looking ahead to USC? Just how mediocre is this offense that seemed to forget to run the ball?

Arkansas State has had a few problems in the first two games, but the offense is controlling the clock by doing a good job on third downs, and the team scores when the chances are there.

There’s some pop to this attack. Corey Rucker is one of the better receivers the Wolverines will face - at least outside of anything Texas brought and Ohio State will put on the field - there’s a good downfield passing element to the Red Wolves, and …

Why Michigan Will Win

Yeah, enough of this. Here comes the ground game.

It didn’t work against Fresno State, and it REALLY didn’t rumble against Texas. With USC coming up, this is when Michigan has to step up its power on the offensive front against a D line that hasn’t done a thing so far.

Arkansas State might be 2-0, but it got killed by Central Arkansas on the ground, and Tulsa averaged over five yards per pop. Michigan won’t mess around. It’ll hand the ball off 40 times, it’ll get the backs into a lather, and …

Michigan vs Arkansas State: Who Will Win

The Michigan defense will do a whole lot better against an Arkansas State team that will look like it’s going at half speed.

The Red Wolves aren’t accurate enough with the passing game, the lines won’t hold up, and unlike the first few games, they won’t control the clock.

This win won’t make anyone thing Michigan is back to form, but it’ll be a step.

Michigan vs Arkansas State Prediction, Betting Lines

Michigan 52, Arkansas State 6
Line: Michigan -23.5, o/u: 47.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Michigan vs Arkansas State Must See Rating: 2