Ohio State vs. Michigan Total Pick
Is No. 8 Ohio State set to put up a big number when it goes on the road to face Michigan on Saturday at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Ohio State is favored on the road, as the Buckeyes are getting odds of -12 points against the Wolverines. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 50 points. Ohio State has won five straight meetings in this series and the two have hit the over in their last four encounters. The public is currently putting 70 percent of the wagers on Ohio State on the road. Saturday’s game takes place from Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan and will air live on FOX.
Michigan is coming off a 24-10 loss at Wisconsin last weekend to fall to 8-3 on the season and 5-3 in the Big Ten. The Wolverines are 5-5-1 with the over/under total this season, hitting the under in their last two games. Michigan has been led by its defense, which is allowing just 17.1 points and 261.2 yards per game. Their pass defense is giving up only 144.4 yards per contest. Offensively, the Wolverines have struggled to do much. Michigan averages just 26.3 points and 360.4 yards per game. Brandon Peters suffered a concussion last week and may not play Saturday. He has thrown for 486 yards and four touchdowns this year. Johh O’Korn will step in if Peters can’t play. He has 761 yards with one TD and five INTs. Karan Higdon has run for 874 yards and 10 touchdowns to lead the offense while Chris Evans has 594 yards and six scores.
Ohio State is coming off a 52-14 win over Illinois last week to improve to 9-2 on the season and 7-1 in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes have already secured a spot in next week’s Big Ten Championship Game. Ohio State is 8-3 with the over this season, hitting it in six of their last seven games. OSU is putting up 44.9 points per game on offense thanks to 546.2 yards per game. J.T. Barrett has thrown for 2,698 yards and 32 touchdowns this season while rushing for 605 yards and eight touchdowns. J.K. Dobbins has run for 1,089 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman while Mike Weber is adding 545 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, Ohio State is allowing 19.8 points and 291.5 yards per game. Their pass defense is giving up just 177.5 yards per contest.
Bet on Ohio State vs. Michigan
Last year Michigan was able to surprisingly move the ball in a high-scoring game with the Buckeyes. I just don’t know that I see that happening again this weekend. Peters is limited if he can play and O’Korn has already proven to be a mess. Ohio State may find success on offense, but I would like to think Michigan will step up somewhat at home against its biggest rival. The trends like the over, but I think this could be an ugly game.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: OHIO STATE/MICHIGAN UNDER 50