Is everyone ready for “The Game”? Or more importantly, are you ready for Old Man Morris’ Ohio State Michigan prediction for 2018? Buckle up. The only thing I don’t like about this game is that it’s always played at noon. I would love the chance to feature it at night and be able to get together with friends and family in the evening and make a night of it.
Either way, the latest edition of one of the most heated rivalries in college football takes on added significance this Saturday when the Michigan Wolverines visit the Ohio State Buckeyes. Make sure you’re ready with your units and your league at Wannamakeabet.com.
While the Wolverines need a victory against the hated Buckeyes to tighten their grip on a spot in the CFP, the Buckeyes are still hoping that a win over Michigan will keep them in the conversation for a CFP spot themselves. A win will secure one of the teams a spot in the Big Ten title game against Northwestern. Ohio State would love to retain bragging rights after going into the Big House last season and walking away with a 31-20 victory.
The Line from Wannamakeabet.com as of the time of this article:
Michigan – 4.5 (-210) at Ohio State (+175) O/U 53.5
What to expect.
The Buckeyes know how to get out of the gate in a hurry this season. In fact, they are a completely different team at home than on the road, and that’s a good thing if you like the Buckeyes today. The Bucks average a solid 14.8 first-quarter points at Ohio Stadium against FBS opponents – the fifth-highest average in the nation – compared to a measly 2.6-point average on the road.
Michigan, on the other hand, has been positively dreadful in the first quarter of its four road games, scoring seven total points in those contests. We like the Buckeyes to open the scoring in this one, despite the Wolverines boasting one of the most imposing defenses in the country.
While the Buckeyes will present the most difficult challenge Michigan’s defense has faced to date, the Buckeyes have their own issues – specifically, on the defensive side of the ball. Ohio State has managed just 19 sacks this season – 12 fewer than it had last season – while allowing 4.7 yards per carry.
As well as Ohio State should be able to move the football in their own stadium behind Dwayne Haskins, Michigan is also in position to succeed thanks to a robust run game and improved QB play from Shea Patterson.
The Game Prediction
Oddsmakers believe the Wolverines would be favored by better than a touchdown on a neutral field, which speaks to Michigan’s dominance as much as it does the Buckeyes’ up-and-down season. And it’s hard to argue with that assessment, given that the visitors have reeled off 10 straight wins – nine by double digits – while three of the Buckeyes’ past six wins have come by five or fewer points.
But as anyone who knows this matchup over the past 100+ years knows, you can throw the records out the window when it comes to this game. And if you look at recent history, specifically the fact that Big Blue hasn’t won here in 20 years, it favors the Buckeyes. Home-field advantage and Haskins’ prowess should keep this one close enough for the Buckeyes to secure the cover. I like Ohio State +4.5.
The Total Prediction.
Michigan has been a premier over play in marquee games, having gone 19-7-1 O/U in its previous 27 games against teams with winning records. And these teams have brought out the best in each other’s offenses over the years, cashing the over in each of their past five meetings while averaging better than 63 total points over that span. And with the Wolverines boasting its best and most balanced offense in years, combined with the Buckeyes averaging a crazy 542 yards per game, I like the Over 53.5 today.
Good luck with your selections. Morris Chambers is a senior college football analyst for Wannamakeabet.com