Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Nov. 27, 2021

Jonathan Willis
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

A Big 10 battle is set for Saturday, one of college football's biggest rivalries as the Michigan Wolverines host the Ohio State Buckeyes. Kick off is set for 12:00 p.m. ET and will air on FOX from Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Score Prediction

Ohio State 30, Michigan 23

Best Bets

Michigan +7.5

Under 65

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines Predictions

Can Jim Harbaugh finally lead the Michigan Wolverines to a win over the Ohio State Buckeyes? Ohio State has won eight straight games in this rivalry, and the Buckeyes have won 15 of their last 16 meetings with the Wolverines. The winner of this game will win the Big Ten East and will be ranked in the top four in the College Football Playoff rankings next week, so this would be a great time for Harbaugh to finally beat Ohio State.

The Wolverines have flown under the radar this year. Michigan hasn’t received the same attention that a 10-1 team usually does in Ann Arbor. Early action has been on Ohio State considering what we’ve seen from the Buckeyes over the last several weeks, but the Wolverines will be up to the task and keep this one close throughout the day.

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Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines Betting Odds

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Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines Betting Resources

• Matchup: Big 10
• Date: Saturday, November 27, 2021
• Venue: Michigan Stadium
• Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
• TV-Time: FOX, 12:00 p.m. ET

• Weather Report
• College Football Playoff Betting

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 10-1
• ATS: 6-4-1
• O/U: 6-5
• ATS - Home: 2-1-1
• ATS - Away: 6-4-1

C.J. Stroud is now the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. Stroud had some stumbles early in the year, but he is playing at a high level and has the Buckeyes poised to win the Big Ten for the fifth straight season. He is averaging 10.0 YPA and was lights out in his last two starts. The freshman completed 63 of 73 passes for 893 yards with 11 touchdowns and no interceptions in blowout wins over Michigan State and Purdue.

Fellow freshman TreVeyon Henderson might be the best running back in the country. Henderson has only carried the ball 150 times, but he has run for 1,098 yards (7.3 YPC) with 14 touchdowns. He has an uncanny ability to make defenders miss, and he has the potential to have a highlight reel run whenever he touches the ball.

Ohio State has three elite receivers. Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the Buckeyes with 69 receptions for 1,132 yards and six touchdowns, but it’s very likely that Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave get to 1,000 receiving yards at the end of the season too.

The Buckeyes have improved on defense over the course of the season. They rank 14th in Defensive SP+, and they have the top special teams in the nation by that metric too. Ohio State struggled with power run games earlier this year, and Michigan will test the front seven.

Michigan Wolverines Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 10-1
• ATS: 9-2
• O/U: 5-6
• ATS - Home: 5-1
• ATS - Away: 4-1

The Wolverines have been able to have a lot of success running the ball this season. Hassan Haskins leads the way with 1,063 yards (4.9 YPC) and 13 touchdowns, but Blake Corum isn’t far behind with 778 yards (6.0 YPC) and 10 TDs. Corum has missed the last two games due to injury though, and Harbaugh said he didn’t know if he’d be available earlier in the week.

Cade McNamara has had a nice season under center for the Wolverines. He hasn’t thrown an interception since the loss to Michigan State, tossing seven touchdowns without a pick in wins over Indiana, Penn State, and Maryland the last three weeks. We might see a little from J.J. McCarthy too, as he has looked sharp in minor action as a freshman.

This offensive line has done a superb job keeping a clean pocket and run blocking for the Wolverines. Michigan quarterbacks have been sacked just nine times all season, and Ohio State is not as good up front as we have seen in previous years.

Michigan’s defense ranks 7th in SP+. The Wolverines rank sixth in scoring defense (16.3 PPG) and total defense (306.2 YPC). Aidan Hutchinson is expected to be a first round pick, and he shares the Big Ten lead in sacks with David Ojabo.

Michigan has covered nine of its last 11 games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Ohio State Buckeyes

• Record: 10-1
• VI Ranking: 4
• Points Scored: 519
• Points Allowed: 209
• PS/G: 47.2 (1st)
• PA/G: 19 (17th)

Inside the Stats - Michigan Wolverines

• Record: 10-1
• VI Ranking: 7
• Points Scored: 406
• Points Allowed: 179
• PS/G: 36.9 (15th)
• PA/G: 16.3 (7th)

Key Players to Watch

• OHST: C.J. Stroud - QB (246/346, 3,468 yards, 36 TD, 5 INT)
• OHST: TreVeyon Henderson - RB (150 carries, 1,098 yards, 14 TD)
• MICH: Hassan Haskins - RB (216 carries, 1,063 yards, 13 TD)
• MICH: David Ojabo - LB (30 tackles, 10 sacks, FR, 2 FF)

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines Betting Conclusion

This game will be closer than the experts think. Michigan will be able to put together long drives with success on the ground, but the Wolverines will fall just short in their bid to knock off Ohio State.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines Betting Trends

• Michigan has covered nine of its last 11 games.
• Michigan has gone UNDER the point total in six of its last seven home games.
• Michigan has covered the spread in five of its last six games in Ann Arbor.
• Ohio State has covered the spread in six of its last eight games.

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