Are the Buckeyes an Unstoppable Freight Train, Or can the Michigan Wolverines Derail Them?
By Charles Jay
Ohio State-Michigan. To say they have a blood rivalry going would be to vastly understate the fact. But as more than one person has suggested, “Can it really be a rivalry if one team always wins?”
Okay, good question. Let’s just say that it usually gets one school super-elated while bringing huge disappointment to the other.
And as BetOnline customers know, it’s Ohio State that has been on the “fat” end of that, with Michigan usually picking up the pieces and out of the Big Ten conference title picture.
Will the Maize and Blue have better luck this time? We’ll see. These teams did not play last year because of a shortened season, but they meet up at high noon (Eastern) at Ann Arbor.
Ohio State-Michigan Betting — Frustration for Harbaugh
Jim Harbaugh, as a Michigan alum, understands full well that if you can’t beat Ohio State, not much else matters. So it is frustrating for him that he is 0-5 against the Buckeyes since he returned to campus as head coach.
But he’s not the only coach who has come away empty. Ohio State has won 15 of the last 16 meetings, and the last time Michigan won this game, Luke Fickell was the head coach in Columbus, which means Urban Meyer, who’s come and gone, hadn’t even arrived yet.
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Ohio State-Michigan Betting — Where these teams stand
As things stand now, Ohio State is second in the college football playoff rankings, which are the only ones that matter at the moment. But their mission is pretty clear – they have to win against Michigan, and then against Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game. If they do that, they will punch their ticket into football’s version of the”Final Four.” If they don’t, they’re not going, because an earlier loss to Oregon would make them a two-loss team. They won’t even be the highest ranking team in their own state (Cincinnati will hold that distinction).
If Michigan wins, then it becomes a much more interesting situation. That’s because the Wolverines would be sitting with just one loss, and they would be in the Big Ten title game instead. And they would have a path to the playoff, because they are #5 right now.
So there is an awful lot at stake.
Ohio State-Michigan Betting — Here are the numbers?
In the college football betting odds that have been placed on this game by the folks at BetOnline, the Buckeyes are the favorites:
Ohio State Buckeyes -7 (-113)
Michigan Wolverines +7 (-107)
Over 64.5 Points -110
Under 64.5 Points -110
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Ohio State-Michigan Betting — Can the Wolverine D keep them in it?
One should not dismiss Michigan by any means. They are the nation’s ninth-ranked defense, and they have been very tough when it comes to denying third down opportunities (31.9% allowed). And you have to worry at all times from pressure that comes form the pass rushers, in particular Aidan Hutchinson, who is going to be a very high choice in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Ohio State-Michigan Betting — Maize and Blue must score, too
Michigan has been more than adequate offensively, if not machine-like. Harbaugh has been criticized for shuffling quarterbacks around, but Cade McNamara has settled in and has thrown 14 touchdown passes. What’s important for this discussion is that he has only thrown two interceptions. They run the ball effectively with Hassan Haskins, who has 1063 yards. But they don’t have a scary receiver group, and losing Ronnie Bell in the season opener was a roadblock.
Ohio State-Michigan Betting — Stroud leads the locomotive
Ohio State has the -200 favorite for the Heisman Trophy (at BetOnline) in CJ Stroud, who is in his first full season. Stroud has been nothing short of sensational, as Justin Fields had been before him. With 71% passing and 36 touchdowns with just five picks, his record would seem to be unassailable, and with six TD passes in one half of football against Michigan State, he separated himself from the pack.
Then there’s TreVeyon Henderson, who is averaging 7.3 yards a carry out of the backfield, and Chris Olave, who can make a case for being the best wide receiver in college football. All of that is just for starters. Ohio State is way out in front of anybody else as far as yardage per game (560) and they average 7.9 per play.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs Michigan Wolverines Betting — Our conclusion…..
Listen, Michigan has a chance to stay competitive because of its defense. But at this level of play, great offense usually beats great defense. Let’s not leave out the fact that Ohio State (36 sacks) can get plenty of pressure on McNamara.
Just three weeks ago Michigan State was #3 in the nation in the AP poll, and OSU threw them around like a rag doll, leading 49-0 at the half. The feeling here is that Michigan doesn’t have the offensive capability to keep up with that kind of thing.
As for laying this number in hostile territory, the Buckeyes have won the last three in Ann Arbor by double-digit margins. And they ARE interested in margins whenever possible (50+ points in six of last eight), so we’ll lay it here.
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