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Michigan vs Ohio State Odds, Spread and Predictions

Brady Trettenero

by Brady Trettenero in College Football

Updated Nov 24, 2021 · 3:50 PM PST

Cade McNamara hands off
Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara (12) hands off to running back Hassan Haskins (25) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
  • Michigan hosts Ohio State in “The Game” on Saturday, November 27th at the Big House
  • The Buckeyes have won eight consecutive meetings with the Wolverines
  • Read below for Michigan vs Ohio State odds, game preview and prediction

The #2 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1) and #5 Michigan Wolverines (10-1) clash for their annual rivalry matchup in Week 13 of College Football on Saturday, November 27th. Kickoff is set for noon EST at the Big House.

The Buckeyes are listed as 8-point favorites in this year’s installment of “The Game”. Ohio State has won eight straight meetings against Michigan and boasts the most prolific offense in college football.

Is 2021 the year Jim Harbaugh finally beats Ohio State? Let’s look at the odds and provide you our prediction for Michigan vs Ohio State.

Ohio State vs Michigan Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Ohio State Buckeyes -8 (-115) -320 O 64.5 (-110)
Michigan Wolverines +8  (-105) +250 U 64.5 (-110)

Odds as of November 24th at DraftKings

Buckeyes Are Torching Opponents

Ohio State enters rivalry week against Michigan boasting the most prolific offense in college football. The Buckeyes rank No. 1 in total offense, averaging 559.9 yards per game. Ryan Day’s team has exploded for 50-plus points in back-to-back victories over Purdue and Michigan State, covering the spread both times.

Ohio State QB CJ Stroud is now the favorite in the Heisman odds after throwing for 3,468 yards and 36 TDs with five picks in 10 starts. Receivers Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba each have at least 800 receiving yards, while running back TreVeyon Henderson has topped 1,000 yards on the ground.

Ohio State’s defense has also improved since getting torched by Oregon’s rushing offense in Week 2. The Buckeyes haven’t lost a game since and have held five of their last six opponents to under 100 rushing yards. On the season, Ohio State’s defense is allowing 19 points and 355.5 yards per game.

Wolverines Have Balanced Attack

Michigan enters Week 13 boasting one of the Big 10’s most balanced offense. The Wolverines are averaging 229.5 passing yards and 218.4 rushing yards per game. Michigan used a mixture of both attacks in a 59-18 drubbing of Maryland in Week 12. Jim Harbaugh’s team easily covered the spread as 16-point favorites.

Michigan has been a money-maker against the spread this season, posting a 9-2 record ATS. QB Cade McNamara has passed for 2,142 yards and 14 TDs with two picks, while RB Hassan Haskins has rushed for over 1,000 yards. Blake Corum is UM’s other talented rusher, but he’s questionable against OSU with a leg injury.

The Wolverines have been better defensively than Ohio State this season, allowing 16.3 points and 306.8 yards per game. Michigan’s defense features two of the nation’s best pass rushers in Aidan Hutchinson (9 sacks) and David Ojabo (10 sacks). Getting pressure on CJ Stroud will be they key for Michigan securing the upset.

Ohio State vs Michigan Prediction

It’s very hard to bet Michigan as underdogs against Ohio State given the series history and the Buckeyes high-profile passing attack. The problem is that this betting line is inflated in Ohio State’s favor and continues to tick up. The Buckeyes opened as 7.5-point favorites and could be favored by 10 come kickoff.

If Ohio State jumps out to another double-digit lead, it’s hard to see the Wolverines keeping pace. They lost their star receiver Ronnie Bell to a season-ending in October and don’t have the weapons at wideout to win a shootout against OSU. Corum returning would only bolster the run game.

When you look at Ohio State’s wins against Penn State and Nebraska, the Nittany Lions and Cornhuskers were able to keep it close by getting pressure on Stroud and shutting down the OSU rush attack. Hutchinson and Ojabo are studs in Michigan’s defensive backfield and should make life difficult for Stroud.

A key stat for this matchup is Michigan is only allowing 1.45 first-quarter points per game, which is second-best nationally. The Wolverines have started games strong all season, especially at home. After witnessing Ohio State bury MSU in the first half last week, the Wolverines should have a game plan for keeping this game close early.

Ohio State’s NFL-caliber receivers are likely to takeover at some point, which is why the first-quarter Michigan spread is the play. Look for a strong start from Michigan’s defense at the Big House as they keep it within a field goal heading into the second quarter.

  • Pick: Michigan 1Q +3 (-115)
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