College Football Betting – Ohio State/Michigan Preview & Pick
Sports betting fans are pumped up for the weekend. Why? Two words: rivalry week. Ohio State visits the Big House to renew pleasantries with Michigan this Saturday. Funnily enough, while the Buckeyes have been the much better team, the Wolverines are the ones with something on the line.
Does that mean they can pull off an upset?
(9) Ohio State Buckeyes vs Michigan Wolverines
Saturday, November 21, 12:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook favorite: Ohio State -12
Team records:
Ohio State: 9-2 SU, 8-3 ATS
Michigan: 5-6 SU, 4-6 ATS
Ohio State’s fate is decided already; its dramatic overtime win over Iowa vaulted it into the Rose Bowl. Scuffling Michigan, however, needs to string some wins together if it wants to play in any remotely meaningful bowl game.
Can Michigan score enough to hang with Ohio State? Early season results suggest so but last week’s embarrassing lost to Wisconsin indicates otherwise. Quarterback Tate Forcier has been competent but did nothing against the Badgers, throwing for just 188 yards. The biggest letdown was Michigan’s running game. The Wolverines entered the Wisconsin game averaging 200-plus rushing yards per contest…and tallied just 71 yards on the ground versus the Badgers. If Michigan’s offensive starters don’t step up their play, it’s tough to imagine them winning, especially since Ohio State was strong defensively when it mattered last week. The Buckeyes shut Iowa down in overtime. Forcier has to be careful with his throws, as Ohio State’s No. 5 overall defense is tied for second in the nation with 19 interceptions this season.
Ranking nowhere near the country’s top 25 offenses, Ohio State does just enough to support its stellar defense. Pivot Terrelle Pryor isn’t perfect but he’s improved throughout the season and he makes plays with his feet. In addition to his 15 touchdown passes, he’s rushed for seven scores. He’s dangerous enough outside the pocket that he could make some plays against Michigan. It’s not like Michigan has been stonewalling anyone; its 45 points allowed to Wisconsin last week was its worst number ever against the Badgers.
All the information I’ve just laid down points to an Ohio State win but I’m about to contradict myself in my football picks. Mentally, the edge has to go to Michigan. Ohio State had a huge emotional high last week when it qualified for the Rose Bowl. What motivation does it have this week besides the rivalry? Michigan truly needs a win and has the 100,000-plus faithful behind it at the Big House. Even if Michigan doesn’t get the win, I see the Wolverines beating the 12-point college football betting spread.
A few trends to consider:
Ohio State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Michigan
Ohio State is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Ohio State is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Ohio State is 20-4 SU in its last 24 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Michigan’s last 6 games when playing Ohio State
Michigan is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
Michigan is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Ohio State
Michigan is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Ohio State
Pick: Michigan +12
