Prediction: Bet Ohio State to cover
- Over/Under: Ohio State vs Michigan (46)
- Spread: Michigan -4
- Pick: Bet Ohio State to cover
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Game preview Ohio State vs Michigan
This is the game of the year in College Football, with the winner all but punching their ticket to the College Football playoffs. These are two well-coached, hard-nosed teams, and I expect this game to be decided at the last second.
Can the Wolverines continue to roll?
Michigan faced challenges without suspended coach Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines last week but managed to defeat Maryland on the road 31-24 as a 17.5-point favorite. Mike Sainristil intercepted two passes while running back Blake Corum scored twice during the first half. Michigan limited Maryland’s rushing yards to 15 while still giving up 247 passing yards; JJ McCarthy completed 12 out of 23 passes for 141 yards with an interception thrown. Michigan needs strong play from McCarthy, who has completed 73.8 per cent of his passes with 18 touchdowns against four interceptions this season; running back Blake Corum (4.9ypc) leads the offense with 888 yards and 20 touchdowns; receiver Roman Wilson leads with 37 receptions totalling 612 yards for 612 yards and ten scores this season.
The Michigan Wolverines lead the nation in both yards allowed (235.5) and points given up (9ppg). Furthermore, they rank second for passing yards allowed per game at 144.8 and 9th in rushing yards per game (9th). On offense they average 399.6 yards per game, including 228 passing yards (171 rushing yards). They rank 11th overall with 38.3ppg points scored per game.
Will the Buckeyes pull off the upset?
Ohio State has taken care in every game this season, whether through defense, offense or team effort. Their last two victories against Michigan State (38-3) and Minnesota (37-3), in particular, have been nothing short of dominance, holding Minnesota to only 159 total yards. At the same time, Treyvon Henderson led Ohio State’s charge with 146 rushing yards and two TDs in less than three quarters before getting some much-needed rest during their fourth-quarter. Ohio State has struggled offensively. While their defense dominated their game against Minnesota, their offense managed only to score 13 points during the first half. QB Kyle McCord completed 20 of 30 passes for 212 yards with two touchdown passes to star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who also managed three receptions of 30 yards while scoring one receiving touchdown.
McCord has had an outstanding season at Ohio State, completing 66.4 per cent of his passes for 2,8899 yards with 22 touchdowns and four interceptions while also leading his team in running yardage (-62), although not at the level of previous OSU quarterbacks (who averaged over 200). Henderson leads Ohio State rushing with 794 yards per game (10 touchdowns, or an average of 6.67ypc). Harrison Jr. caught 62 passes for 1,093 yards (at 17.6ypc), adding an incredible 17 total (17ypc).
Overall, Ohio State’s strength lies in its defense. They allow only 252.9 yards per game (3rd), including 144.4 passing yards (1st), 198.5 rushing yards (21st) and 9.3 points per game (2nd). On offense they average 429.3 yards per game (35th), including 283.7 air yards per game and 145.5 rushing yards (86th).
Our Betting Pick for Today – Bet Ohio State to cover
The Buckeyes will lose this game, but they will cover the spread. Ohio State is great on defense and sparodic on offense, much like Michigan is. I expect a close low scoring game. Michigan 20 Ohio state 17.
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