Ohio State vs. Michigan Pick
Can Michigan possibly upset No. 8 Ohio State when the two rivals collide today 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, but the Wolverines are 3-1 against the spread in the last four encounters. The public is currently putting 71 percent of the wagers on Ohio State on the road. Today’s game takes place from Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan and will air live on FOX.
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 5-6 against the spread this season, but just 1-3 ATS in their last four games. OSU is putting up 44.9 points per game and 546.2 yards per game on offense. 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.
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 4-6-1 against the spread, but have covered in two of their last three 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 today. Michigan hasn’t confirmed his status. 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.
Bet on Ohio State vs. Michigan
Neither team has been terribly trustworthy at the betting window this season and last year’s game was much more competitive than I anticipated, but I just don’t see Michigan having the offensive talent to compete with the Buckeyes. Ohio State is loaded on offense and their defense has the capability of matching Michigan up front. The Wolverines have really struggled against teams that are physical at the line and Ohio State certainly is that.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: OHIO STATE -12