#2 Ohio State vs #5 Michigan NCAAF Game Preview

#2 Ohio State vs #5 Michigan | NCAAF Game Preview

Everything is at stake Saturday when No. 2 Ohio State visits No. 5 Michigan in arguably the best rivalry in college football. The winner reaches the Big Ten title game and keeps its College Football Playoff hopes alive, while the loser is out. Let’s take a look at how the Ohio State vs Michigan teams are coming in to place your College Football NCAAF Odds.

How to Bet Ohio State at Michigan NCAA Football Odds & TV Info

  • When: Saturday, noon ET
  • Where: Michigan Stadium
  • TV: FOX
  • Stream: Fox Sports Go
  • Radio: Tunein.com
  • Opening NCAAF Lines: Ohio State -8 (total 64.5)

Series History

These rivals didn’t play last year because Michigan had a COVID outbreak and had to cancel multiple games. The cancellation snapped a streak of 102 consecutive years – dating to 1918 – that these rivals have played on the gridiron. This is the 117th meeting between the two schools and the most games vs. another opponent for each. Michigan leads 58-51-6 in wins, a record that does not include a vacated Ohio State win in 2010. Ohio State has won eight consecutive in this series and 16 of the last 19 dating to 2000.

Why Bet on Ohio State?

Ohio State redshirt freshman QB CJ Stroud is now the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy after he completed 32-of-35 passes for 432 yards and six touchdowns in OSU’s 56-7 blowout of Michigan State last week. Stroud has 793 passing yards and 11 touchdowns in the last two games.  Stroud has more five-touchdown passing games in his career – 4 – against Big Ten Conference teams than any other Buckeye, with Dwayne Haskins next on the list with three.

That blowout win and Oregon’s loss last week saw Ohio State rise to No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings.  With their current positioning, a playoff berth is certain with for the Buckeyes wins on Saturday against Michigan and either Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game. Ohio State is seeking a trip to Indianapolis for the Big Ten title game for a fifth consecutive year and for the sixth time.

Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave has caught a touchdown pass in eight consecutive games, all Buckeye wins, and ranks second in the nation with 13 TD receptions. His 35 career TD are first at Ohio State. Ohio State leads the nation in scoring offense (47.2 points per game), total offense (559.9 yards/game), touchdowns scored (67) and yards per play (7.98). OSU is on pace to be the first Power 5 team ever with three 1,000-yard receivers AND a 1,000-yard rusher. Tulsa is the only other team to do that, in 2007.

Ohio State (10-1) has won 26 consecutive Big Ten Conference games (13 on the road; 13 at Ohio Stadium), the second-longest streak in Big Ten history. Ohio State owns the longest: 30 by the 2012-15 teams. OSU has also won 13 consecutive true road games dating to the 2018 loss at Purdue. The Buckeyes have won 12 consecutive road games against ranked opponents. Ohio State also has a current streak of 21 consective wins over ranked Big Ten opponents.

Why Bet on Michigan?

Michigan (10-1) avoided a trap game last week vs. Maryland, winning 59-18. Michigan scored five touchdowns in the second half. Hassan Haskins ran for a pair of one-yard TDs and amassed 78 rushing yards to eclipse 1,000 career rushing yards. Donovan Edwards went for a 77-yard catch-and-run TD as part of a 170-yard receiving day. Quarterback Cade McNamara notched 259 yards on the day, connecting on 21 of 28 attempts and two touchdowns. McNamara has thrown multiple touchdowns in four straight games (9:1 TD:INT in that span). Kicker Jake Moody eclipsed 100 points on the season with his seven PATs and one field goal. Moody has converted on 17 of his last 18 field goal attempts.

Michigan ranks top-25 in total offense (23rd) and scoring offense (15th) and top-10 in total defense (ninth) and scoring defense (seventh). U-M is one of three teams (Georgia, Cincinnati) in the top-15 in scoring offense and scoring defense.

The Wolverine offense is top-30 in seven categories overall: third down percentage (29th), total offense (23rd), scoring offense (15th), rushing offense (15th), red zone offense (10th), sacks allowed (fifth) and tackles for loss allowed (first).

With a victory on Saturday, Michigan would capture a share of the Big Ten’s East Division title and reach the championship game for the first time. Ohio State and Michigan have split the last 20 games played in Ann Arbor. Michigan won eight of 10 games between 1981-99 and Ohio State has won eight of the 10 games since, from 2001-19.

This will be the 24th time that Michigan and Ohio State take the field in a top 10 matchup. The Buckeyes hold a 12-9-2 advantage in those contests. The Wolverines have won seven of the last 11 games played between top 10 foes but the Buckeyes have won the last four meetings. U-M has claimed victories in eight of the past 16 games at the Big House dating back to 1989.

Game Trends

  • Buckeyes are 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
  • Buckeyes are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
  • Buckeyes are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 road games.
  • Wolverines are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 conference games.
  • Wolverines are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a home underdog.
  • Wolverines are 1-6 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
  • Buckeyes are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 meetings.

Expert Prediction: Ohio State 36, Michigan 27

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