re: Why is MI favored over BAMA in Vegas?

Maybe on the perceived strength of the Michigan defense? Michigan has impressive defensive stats, although most of the teams they've faced don't have very good offenses. So it's hard to judge whether they're really the top defense in the country or not. Still, it wouldn't be a stretch to see the game turn into a defensive struggle. Bama's offense hasn't exactly been overpowering this year, they've managed to do just enough to win. And Bama's most consistent RB (Jase McClellan) may not be able to play against Michigan.