In the big rivalry game in the Big Ten 11-0 Ohio State takes on 8-3 Michigan Saturday afternoon at the Big Horseshoe in Columbus (noon ET, ABC).
In the early betting the Buckeyes, who are also 7-0 in conference play but ineligible to win the Big Ten title, were favored by five points over the Wolverines, who can win the Legends Division with a victory and a Nebraska loss to Iowa.
View Michigan vs Ohio State Odds and Stats.
Betting Line: The visitors opened as 4.5-point underdogs in this one at Sportsbook and most sportsbooks tracked here at OddsShark. No total had been posted as of press time check the live lines pages in the coming days to see where the number opens at Sportsbook.
Power Rankings / Prediction: The game pits the Buckeyes, currently No. 50 in our OddsShark NCAAF Power Rankings, against the Wolverines, who rate No. 28 in the latest survey. Meanwhile, math and handicapping models run on this game predict a 43-40 victory for the Buckeyes.
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Ohio State's No. 18-ranked offense (38.2 PPG) against a Wolverines defense that ranks No. 17 at 18.1 PPG. The Buckeyes passing attack has averaged 180.8 yards per game, more than the Wolverines give up through the air (152.1 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Wolverines own the league's No. 29-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 134 yards per game when on the road. Ohio State, on the other hand, rates No. 13 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Last time out for Michigan, they were a 42-17 Sportsbook as they battled Iowa at home. Michigan covered in the match as a 17-point favorite, while 59 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors. Devin Gardner led his team to victory last time out, throwing for 314 yards Saturday as the Wolverines downed the Hawkeyes 42-17 at Michigan Stadium.
Ohio State was a 21-14 Sportsbook in their most recent outing on the road against Wisconsin. They covered the 1-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (35) made Sportsbooks of UNDER bettors. The Buckeyes grabbed a Week 12 victory over the Badgers in their last game, winning 21-14 at Camp Randall Stadium.
Michigan Wolverines Trends:
When playing in November are 7-3
When playing on turf are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When playing within the conference are 9-1
Ohio State Buckeyes Trends:
When playing in November are 7-3
When playing on turf are 9-1
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing within the conference are 7-3
A few Wolverines at Buckeyes trends to consider:
Michigan is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Michigan's last 7 games when playing on the road against Ohio State
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Michigan's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Michigan's last 9 games when playing Ohio State
Ohio State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Ohio State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Ohio State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Michigan
Ohio State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Michigan
