There were two upsets in College Football Week 9 betting, and one of them was huge for bettors. Michigan, which was ranked No. 13, was a 21.5-point favorite to defeat in-state rival Michigan State at home on Saturday.
Gamblers believed Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh would have another meltdown at home. They took the Spartans, with 55% of the tickets on MSU at William Hill, along with 59% of the money. The Spartans were also +1000 on the moneyline at Circa and South Point
They were right, as Michigan State won outright, 27-24. It’s the Wolverines’ largest upset loss since they were a 33-point favorite against Appalachian State in 2007. Michigan also lost as a 24-point favorite to Illinois in 1999.
State (+900) wins the battle of Michigan!
— BetMGM (@BetMGM) October 31, 2020
The defeat marked the third time in four appearances at the Big House where MSU defeated the Wolverines. They were 13-point picks in 2017 and lost 14-10. In 2015, they were 7.5-point favorites and lost, 27-23. Harbaugh is now 3-3 against MSU, and 0-5 against another rival, Ohio State. The Wolverines face the No. 3 Buckeyes on Dec. 12 at Ohio State.
After the MSU loss, Harbaugh didn’t take sole responsibility for the defeat.
“This team is going to own this loss,†Harbaugh said. “Congratulations to Michigan State, but we’ve got to own this lossâ€
Social media is calling the loss one of the worst of Harbaugh’s career, and it might actually make the 56-year-old a desirable pick to be the first Big Ten coach fired. He is currently at 5/1 at sportsbetting.ag, though after this weekend, those odds may go lower.
Clemson Avoids Shocker
One upset that would have been earth-shaking had it occurred was No. 1 Clemson going down to Boston College. The Tigers saw their line drop from an opening 32 points to 25 by game time on Saturday because Heisman frontrunner Trevor Lawrence was diagnosed with COVID-19.
The Eagles jumped out to a 28-13 lead at halftime lead, and those who had BC at +1600 at DraftKings on the moneyline were salivating. Sadly for BC ticket holders, Clemson came back in the second half, scoring the go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter. They added a safety to make the final, 34-28.
TOUCHDOWN TIGERS!
ETN with a 17-yd rushing touchdown to finish a 10-PLAY, 91-YARD, GO-AHEAD DRIVE!
Clemson 32, BC 28#ALLIN ðŸ…🾠pic.twitter.com/ZDqhM6lyps
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) October 31, 2020
The 15-point halftime deficit overcome by the Tigers was the largest by an AP No. 1 team since USC rallied from 18 points in 2005 against Arizona State. Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney improved his record to 10-2 against the spread when his team trails at halftime.
Bad Beat of the Week
It’s rare, but at the Ohio State-Penn State game, two backers lost on a brutal bad beat. The over/under line was at 63 at most places, and the point spread was 13.5.
If you had the Over 63 in Ohio State-Penn State or Ohio State -13.5, this is how you lost:pic.twitter.com/FOXtt4jmLH
— Ben Fawkes (@BFawkes22) November 1, 2020
A missed 23-yard field goal by OSU with 1:13 remaining in the game kept the over/under at 63 and cost Buckeye backers a backdoor cover.
Stat of the Week
Iowa State running back Breece Hall, who is 66/1 to win the Heisman Trophy, became just the fifth Power 5 Conference player in the last 15 seasons to record 100-plus rushing yards and a rushing TD in each of his team’s first six games. He joins Bryce Love (2017), Leonard Fournette (2015), Tevin Coleman (2014), and Adrian Peterson (2006).
