Michigan vs. Ohio St. Prediction
Who will come out on top when No. 2 Ohio State hosts No. 3 Michigan today at Noon ET? Here’s our prediction for the big game.
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Ohio State is favored at home in this game, as the Buckeyes are getting odds of -6.5 points against the Wolverines. The over/under total is listed at just 44.5 points. Ohio State has won four straight meetings with Michigan, but the Wolverines have covered in two of the last three.
Bet on Michigan vs. Ohio State
Ohio State is coming off a 17-16 win at Michigan State last week to move to 10-1 on the season and 7-1 in the Big Ten. However, the Buckeyes failed to cover in the win and are 6-5 ATS this season and just 2-5 ATS in their last seven. Ohio State ranks fifth in the country in points allowed, giving up just 13 points per game. They also are fourth in total defense, allowing only 280 yards per game. J.T. Barrett lead the OSU offense, which averages 43.8 points and 493.1 yards per game. Barrett has thrown for 2,304 yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for 722 yards and eight scores. Mike Weber has added 1,046 yards and eight touchdowns. Curtis Samuel is also a dynamic piece to this offense, as he has added 650 rushing yards and 790 receiving yards with 14 total touchdowns.
Michigan is coming off a 20-10 win over Indiana last week at home to move to 10-1 on the season and 7-1 in the Big Ten. The Wolverines are just 5-6 against the spread, failing to cover in four of their last five. However, they are an underdog for the first time this season. Michigan ranks tops in the nation defensively in both points allowed (10.9 ppg) and yards allowed (246 ypg). However, the concern is on offense. Though Michigan is averaging 42.3 points and 451.1 yards per game, they have scored just 33 points in their last two games combined as QB Wilton Speight is injured with a collarbone issue. He is questionable to play, and if he can’t, John O’Korn will fill in. O’Korn was just 7 of 16 passing for 59 yards in last week’s win over Indiana. De’Veon Smith is the leading rusher with 750 yards and 10 scores for Michigan’s strong ground attack, but three others have 417 yards or more.
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Michigan is likely to have to go with O’Korn today, as it’s hard to see Speight returning so quickly from this injury. Even with Speight, it’s hard to see the Michigan offense moving much on Ohio State. While I think the Michigan defense is up to the challenge, the Buckeyes have more offensive tools than Michigan. So, in a game that could be a real defensive struggle, it’s easier to see why the Buckeyes have the better chance to break the big play. Also, the game is in Columbus. I like the Buckeyes to cover.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 13 PREDICTION: OHIO STATE -6.5