J.J. McCarthy's 15-yard touchdown pass to Roman Wilson gave Michigan a 30-0 lead six minutes into the third quarter against East Carolina in last year's season opener. The Wolverines were only seven points away from covering the 36.5-point spread.
They didn't get it, failing to score again and allowing a buzzer-beating ECU field goal in the 30-3 victory.
It was Michigan's first season-opening ATS loss since failing to cover as a 36-point favorite against Middle Tennessee in 2019. They demolished the spread a year later in the delayed opener against Minnesota, and in both 2021 and 2022, for their first Week 1 three-game winning streak since 2009-11.
The Wolverines will look to start a new winning streak on Saturday, again as a big home favorite. As of Monday's college football odds at BetMGM, they're favored by 21.5 points against Fresno State.
If the number holds, it will be their ninth time in the last 20 years to open the season as a favorite of at least 20 points. They're 4-4 ATS in those games, including the 44-point win over Colorado State as a 30.5-point favorite in the 2022 opener. Against the moneyline, they're 7-1 with the only loss coming against App State in 2007.
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