Ohio State @ Michigan – Are The Buckeyes Finally Ready?

Ohio State

@

Michigan

By Jack Chambers for Wannamakeabet.com

Ohio State and Michigan meet in the season’s biggest rivalry on Nov. 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM UTC, a win-and-in Big Ten finale that will determine who goes to the conference title game. The market currently lists Michigan +10.0 and a total of 44.5 (DraftKings / market composite).

Team Analysis

Ohio State

• Season overview and recent form

– Ohio State enters unbeaten and riding a long win streak; the program’s official pregame notes list them at 11-0 (8-0 Big Ten) heading into The Game. – The Buckeyes boast the nation’s stingiest defense by yardage and points allowed, with national-leading marks in fewest total yards and points per game. – Offensively, Julian Sayin has been efficient (very high completion percentage and low interception totals) and Ohio State averages roughly 37–38 PPG on the season.

Michigan

• Season overview and recent form

– Michigan is battle-tested at 9-2 (7-1 Big Ten) and has leaned on a physical run game and solid situational defense to win close rivalry contests. – The Wolverines have managed to win the last several renewals of The Game and enter with momentum after a convincing road win over Maryland. – Quarterback Bryce Underwood and the Michigan rushing corps are focal points — Michigan averages well over 200 rushing yards per game as a team.

Key Matchup Factors

• Head-to-head history

– Michigan has owned the series recently — the rivalry notes show Michigan leading the series and carrying a multi-year edge (including a four-game winning streak entering this meeting).

• Important player matchups

– Ohio State’s defense vs Michigan’s run game: OSU is elite against the run and overall yardage; Michigan’s ability to impose the tempo on the ground (and chew clock) is the primary test. – Julian Sayin vs Michigan secondary: Sayin’s accuracy and Ohio State’s passing efficiency force Michigan to defend downfield; how well Michigan covers OSU’s top receivers will dictate complementary rushing chances.

• Key injuries and news

– Ohio State has been managing receiver availability with Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate listed as day-to-day/questionable at different points late in the season, which affects OSU’s vertical options. – Michigan suffered multiple absences earlier in November (including linebacker Ernest Hausmann out and Jordan Marshall listed questionable at times), but the team still produced a strong win vs Maryland, showing depth.

• Home/away performance

– Playing in Ann Arbor gives Michigan a notable home-field edge in The Game; historically Michigan leads the series in Ann Arbor and this venue has been a difficult place for Ohio State in rivalry years.

Betting Analysis

• Spread analysis

– The consensus market (DraftKings / market aggregators) shows Michigan +10.0 (Ohio State -10) and many books center around a 10-point line, though some early books opened Ohio State as larger favorites (Ohio State opened around -11.5 in certain shops). The market has thus settled near a round number. – Models vary: ESPN FPI and other computer projections show Ohio State favored by fewer points (mid-single digits in some models), indicating some disagreement between public lines and model spreads. That gap creates angle for bettors who favor process over public money.

• Total (over/under) analysis

– The total at 44.5 is low for a marquee rivalry, signaling expectations for a defensive, grind-it-out contest. Ohio State’s defense (allowing under 8 PPG in some metrics) and Michigan’s conservative, run-heavy offense justify backers of the UNDER. – Market movement toward sub-45 totals on other games and the recent low-scoring rivalry history further support under lean.

• Best value opportunities

– If you trust Ohio State’s defense and the Buckeyes’ motive (Big Ten title berth, CFP positioning), buying Ohio State -10 at close to current juice is a logical play — OSU’s metrics and efficiency advantage are the market’s counterweight to four straight rivalry losses. – Under 44.5 represents high expected value given OSU’s defensive profile and Michigan’s tendency to lean run-heavy when available; small to medium wagers on the under (or team totals under Michigan 24.5) are defensible.

• Prediction

– This shapes up as a low-to-mid scoring, physically fought game in Ann Arbor. Ohio State’s defense is the single biggest factor — if they control Michigan’s run game, OSU should be able to grind out points and cover the spread. Conversely, if Michigan controls tempo and keeps Sayin off rhythm, an upset cover is possible. Given the data edge on defense, current lines, and injury noise, I lean to the Buckeyes covering.

Final pick: Bet Ohio State -10 (primary) and Under 44.5 (secondary). Small-to-medium play size on OSU to cover; consider a side hedge on UNDER depending on live weather and final inactives. This aligns with Wannamakeabet’s points-based betting system: we reward process + matchup advantage, and this card hits both boxes.