Ohio State Buckeyes (9-2 SU, 5-6 ATS) vs. Michigan Wolverines (8-3 SU, 4-6-1 ATS) vs.
College Football Week 13
Date and Time: Saturday, November 25th, 2017 12:00 PM ET
Where: Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI
TV: FOX
by Keith F., Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: BUCKS -11.5/MICH +11.5
Over/Under Total: 50.5
The B1G is filled to the brim with epic rivalries and storied feuds. However, nothing in the conference or perhaps in the country, is as enormous as a contest known simply as The Game. The Ohio State Buckeyes will travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan to face off with their most hated foe, the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, November 25th, 2017. The kick-off time is slotted for 12:00 PM ET and will be televised for national audiences on FOX. The B1G East has been determined and Ohio State will be going to the B1G Championship to meet with an undefeated Wisconsin in a weeks time. However, they will first have to get past a team that loves to hate them. The Buckeyes have won five straight. Last years affair was an epic when overtime was required to determine a victor. Ohio State would pull it off in Columbus when they edged out Michigan 30-27.
Ohio State comes into this contest off of an impressive win against the Illinois Fighting Illini. The Buckeyes would dismiss their rivals 52-14 and retain the Illibuck Trophy whilst doing so. Nevertheless, Ohio State must be mentioned for some of the shocking defeats they suffered in 2017. Ohio States two losses were hideous. The most recent came when the Iowa Hawkeyes smoked the Buckeyes in Kinnick Stadium by a score of 55-24. Earlier in the year, the Buckeyes produced a huge let down when they hosted the current #5 Oklahoma Sooners. Oklahoma would have its way in The Horseshoe and defeat the Buckeyes by double-digit margins despite being a touchdown-plus pooch.
The Wolverines come in off a contest with Ohio States future opponent: Wisconsin. The Maize and Blue hung with Bucky for a while in Madison but the Badgers pulled away and defeated Michigan 24-10. The Wolverines have the luxury of curating this epic rivalry at home in The Big House. On the year, Michigan is 5-1 SU at home this season. Their sole defeat coming at the hands of another big rival, Michigan State. The Wolverines can still get to ten wins on the season if they earn a win here and a bowl victory. However, a win here is not about benchmarks as much as it is important to own bragging rights in this feud. In Ann Arbor such events are scarce with the Buckeyes recent dominance of this rivalry.
Presently in this market, the public have hopped all over the Buckeyes. Given some of the College Football Playoff hyperbole that has surrounded this unit as of late, such rhetoric is bound to stir a reaction. According to market data, nearly all are in on Ohio State. 93% of the cash and 86% of the tickets have been cashed on behalf of the Scarlet and Grey. As a result, the asking price for Ohio State has risen by 1.5 points. In Over/Under markets, we have seen the number drop by 3.5 points to its current position of 50.5 indicating substantial action on the Under.
Despite what some may believe, Ohio State may actually lose this game. Michigan is a tough test for any to face in The Big House. If you add to the fact, Ohio State will be the invader, the test will be that much more difficult. The Wolverines cannot win the B1G nor can they earn a New Years Six Bowl Berth for all intent and purposes. While the post-season will be something that Michigan relishes and takes seriously, this is the game they have been looking forward to. On the contrary, we have to wonder if Ohio State comes in with an air of complaisance. The Buckeyes have been the superior outfit in this series and they have bigger fish to fry in a weeks time. A win for Ohio State in the B1G Championship puts them in the playoff discussion and we cant help but wonder if that will cause them to take their eye off the ball here. Huge trap potential. Take the points.
Keiths Pick to Cover the Point Spread: MICHIGAN +11.5 – If you went to the store and on the shelf was the exact same product, one for $110 and one for $105 which would you buy? The cheaper one of course! So why would you pay -110 odds on your bets instead of -105? Start betting at discounted odds today at 5Dimes!