Michigan, Michigan State Rivalry Traditions Shaken Up For 2020

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Closing the Big Ten football schedule with Michigan and Ohio State was a cherished Midwest tradition, akin to the sanctity of summertime lake house weekends.

Once again, 2020 never fails to disrupt long-standing plans.

This fall, on Oct. 24, the Wolverines will be making their annual visit to Columbus for a game that has consistently resulted in their defeat.

According to The Detroit News, the teams have been concluding their Big Ten schedules with the annual rivalry battle since 1942.

In addition to being ranked No. 15 in the preseason Amway Coaches Poll, released on Thursday, coach Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan football team have another rivalry challenge to face.

UM will host Michigan State for the second straight season

Every year, conference rivals take turns hosting each other in back-to-back games.

Nevertheless, there has been a change in plans for Michigan as they are set to face their in-state rival, Michigan State, for the second consecutive season on October 3rd.

On the one hand, it appears to be a form of retaliation for Michigan being compelled to play consecutive seasons in East Lansing in 2013 and 2014.

The previous anomaly occurred when Rutgers and Maryland were added to the Big Ten conference, resulting in a divisional split.

The revised schedule ensures equal benefits for season-ticket holders from both schools.

Previously, in a given season, both teams had the opportunity to host their in-state rivals and Ohio State, which were highly anticipated home games for their fans. However, it also meant that in alternating years, they had to travel for both games.

The newly implemented arrangement splits the marquee schedule games, ensuring a fairer balance of competition every year.

Moving date of Ohio State game can only help

The Ohio State shakeup should bring satisfaction to Michigan fans as it has the potential to disrupt the existing hierarchy.

In the recent history, Ohio State has emerged victorious in 15 out of the last 16 matchups against their rivals, delivering decisive victories in the final two years.

Fans of Wolverine and alumni are both feeling frustrated.

In a recent interview with Playinmichigan, Amani Toomer, the former wide receiver for the New York Giants, expressed his frustration with Michigan being overlooked and dismissed as mere also-rans.

It might be beneficial to change the date and reduce the preparation time for Michigan by OSU coach Ryan Day.

Those U-M fans who believe in a potential turnaround could see mobile sports betting available statewide by kickoff, with a targeted launch in October.

Michigan State probably looking at rebuilding anyway

Regarding the Spartans, the new Big Ten-only schedule has not brought about significant changes.

One notable addition to the schedule on Nov. 21 was the crossover game at Nebraska for the Spartans, led by first-year coach Mel Tucker.

This week, Michigan State received additional unfortunate updates as defensive end Jacub Panasiuk declared his decision to opt-out of the season due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.

The exceptional player announces his intention to make a comeback to East Lansing in 2021, ready for another season with the Spartans.

In the preseason coaches poll, neither Michigan State nor Tucker and Western Michigan coach Tim Lester received any votes.

On September 5th, Michigan State will commence their season by facing Minnesota at Spartan Stadium, while Michigan will be hosting Purdue on the same day.

Assuming college football takes place this season.

Betting markets think Michigan’s ranking is about right

According to oddsmakers, the No. 15 ranking seems to be accurate when it comes to the gambling markets.

As of Thursday, there have been no updated win totals announced by any major operators following the release of the Big Ten schedule on Wednesday.

According to the FanDuel Sportsbook App, both Michigan and Minnesota have equal odds of +6,000 to win the national championship, placing them in the 16th position. Meanwhile, Michigan State is tied with 10 other teams at +25,000, ranking them at the 41st position.

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Michigan is currently listed at +1,000 to win the Big Ten, placing them fourth in the conference rankings. Ahead of them are Ohio State (-230) in first place, followed by Penn State (+400) and Wisconsin (+700). On the other hand, Michigan State finds itself tied for ninth at +8,000.

Now, Michigan sports enthusiasts can place bets at the Greektown Casino Sportsbook, equipped with a convenient Bet Builder feature on their website. However, it’s important to note that the physical bet placement must be done in-person at the casino located in downtown Detroit.

On Thursday afternoon, the Kambi system presented Michigan with odds of +8,000 to emerge victorious in the national championship race, placing them in a tie for 14th position. Additionally, Michigan holds odds of +1,000 to win the Big Ten, while Michigan State shares the same +8,000 odds.

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