Quarterback J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines drops back to pass during the fourth quarter … [+]
The behemoth Big Ten battle of undefeated college football heavyweights has arrived. The big house in Ann Arbor is where “The Game” will be decided between Ohio State and Michigan, who are both 11-0 as they determine the East division champion. The winner advances to next week’s Big Ten Championship game vs. Iowa.
The 119th Ohio State-Michigan rivalry winner will also secure a spot in the final 4-team College Football Playoff. The loser waits for more games to be decided later Saturday and in next week’s conference championship games, but still a chance to be included in the College Football Playoff.
The Ohio State-Michigan game is sure to be one of the biggest bet college football games of the 2023 regular season, and perhaps the most bet game once the decision is decided at the leading online sportsbooks.
BetMGM reports the Ohio State-Michigan game as the most bet college football game this weekend. The Ohio State Buckeye’s have also taken the most bets, and have the second-most money (handle) wagered behind Alabama, who plays Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Ohio State is also the most bet underdog to win outright on the moneyline, and the Buckeyes-Wolverines game has the most bet money ‘under’ the game total in the over/under market.
Game Odds and Info
College football odds from BetMGM refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on props and live betting. Spreads listed on favorites, all times Eastern.
- Ohio State at Michigan (-3.5) | 12 p.m. on FOX
- Game Total: 46.5
- Moneyline: Michigan -165, Ohio State +140
- First Half: Michigan -2.5, total 22.5
Ahead of last Saturday’s Week 12 games, leading online sportsbooks had an advance betting line of Michigan -5.5 vs. Ohio State. Now the spread is Michigan -3.5.
Michigan-Ohio State Stats
Here’s how the two Big Ten defensive dominators stack up with stats on offense and defense vs. FBS opponents.
In addition to the stats above, BetMGM provides more stats, trends and player propsr for the Ohio State at Michigan matchup.
Michigan vs. Ohio State score predictions
The Wolverines have won 21 straight home games, the longest home winning streak under head coach Jim Harbaugh and the programs best since a 28-game winning streak from 1969-73 under former head coach Bo Schembechler.
Harbaugh is serving a 3-game suspension and will not be on the sidelines Saturday.
Bob Stoll of Dr. Bob Sports adds more ATS info and stats for the Big Ten battle.
- Ohio State is slightly better on a compensated yards per play basis on both offense (+1.3 yppl to +1.2 yppl) and on defense (1.6 yppl better than average vs 1.4 yppl), but Michigan is projected to run 6 more plays from scrimmage because they have more of a ball-control offense while Ohio State has more short drives due to big plays.
- Overall the math projects Michigan to have an edge of 35 total yards, the Wolverines have an edge in special teams and in projected turnovers and the model favors Big Blue by 5.5 points.
- However, Ohio State is 16-1 ATS as an underdog of 3 points or more since 2009 and the underdog usually wins these end of season games between unbeaten teams.
- My database goes back to 1980 and since then there have been 6 games between unbeaten teams in the final regular season game of the season. In those games the underdog is 5-1 straight up and 6-0 ATS with an average line of +4.75 points – including Michigan winning 45-23 at Columbus last year as an 8-point underdog.
Dr. Bob is not betting “The Game”, but suggests if you like Ohio State, you might want to consider putting an added wager on the money line.
Player Prop Bets
- Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy passing yards: Over/Under 201.5
- Ohio State QB Kyle McCord passing yards: O/U 237.5
- Michigan RB Blake Corum rushing yards: O/U 84.5
- Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson rushing yards: O/U 83.5
- Michigan WR Roman Wilson receiving yards: O/U 47.5
- Michigan WR Colston Loveland receiving yards: O/U 35.5
- Michigan WR Cornelius Johnson receiving yards: O/U 35.5
- Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison, Jr receiving yards: O/U87.5
- Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka receiving yards: O/U 52.5
- Ohio State WR Julian Fleming receiving yards: O/U 37.5
College football rivarlies, records and history
The College Football Playoff expands and triples next season to 12 teams. The Big Ten also expands to 18 teams with the additions of UCLA, USC, Oregon and Washington, and there will no longer be divisions in the Big Ten. The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry will continue, and all that should create more popularity in college football and sports betting, which continues to flourish and provide fans more excitement and engagement in the games.
You can bet on it.
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