Ohio State vs. Michigan State Pick 12/5/20

Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0 SU, 2-2 ATS) vs. Michigan State Spartans (2-3, 2-3), 12/5/20

Time: 12 pm ET Saturday, Dec. 5

Where: Spartan Stadium

TV: ABC

Point spread: Ohio St -23.5/Mich St +23.5 (BetNow – 100% Bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $1000! The ULTIMATE bankroll booster!)

Money line: Buckeyes -2500/Spartans +1050

Over/Under: 59.5

Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0 SU, 2-2 ATS) vs. Michigan State Spartans (2-3, 2-3), 12/5/20

Time: 12 pm ET Saturday, Dec. 5

Where: Spartan Stadium

TV: ABC

Point spread: Ohio St -23.5/Mich St +23.5

Money line: Buckeyes -2500/Spartans +1050

Over/Under: 59.5

Ohio State restarts its quest for a Big Ten title and a berth in the College Football Playoff when it meets Michigan State Saturday afternoon in East Lansing. The Buckeyes are coming off an unexpected off week, thanks to a virus situation, while the Spartans are coming off an upset of Northwestern. Big bad Ohio State is favored by better than three touchdowns for this game; what’s our play with our free college football pick?

College Football Betting Odds

College football betting odds opened Ohio State at -22.5 over Michigan State, with an over/under of 59.5. Early betting action then bumped the Buckeyes a point, to -23.5.

Ohio State Betting Preview

The Buckeyes reached 4-0 on the season with a 42-35 victory over a nice Indiana team two weeks ago. Ohio State then had last week’s scheduled game against Illinois canceled.

The Buckeyes drove their first possession of the game 75 yards in two plays to a touchdown two weeks back, allowed the Hoosiers to tie the score at 7-7 early in the second quarter but used a 21-0 run to take a 28-7 lead into halftime. Ohio State then scored the first seven points out of the locker to go up 28 and hung on from there for the win.

However, OSU took its foot off the gas, allowed Indiana to score two fourth-quarter touchdowns, and missed out on the cover as a 21-point favorite.

Ohio State out-gained the Hoosiers 607-490, and over half the yardage the Buckeyes defense gave up came in prevent mode. OSU also ran the ball for 307 yards while holding Indiana to -1 yards on the ground and won the time of possession by a 36:24 split.

The Buckeyes have now out-gained each of their four opponents this season by at least 117 yards, and they’ve out-rushed all four foes.

Ohio State opened its season with a 52-17 win over Nebraska, covering at -28, then beat Penn State 38-25, covering at -10, then beat Rutgers 49-27 but couldn’t cover at -37.

At 4-0 overall, the Buckeyes can clinch a spot in the upcoming Big Ten championship game with victories this week and next week against Michigan. They’re also still chasing a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Ohio State experienced some virus issues last week, leading to the game cancellation and a hiatus, but began practicing again Tuesday.

More Picks: Get Zman’s Gatos vs. Vols Pick >>>

Michigan State Betting Preview

Michigan State, meanwhile, just snapped a two-game losing skid with a 29-20 win over previously undefeated Northwestern last week. The Spartans, playing as two-touchdown home dogs, scored the first 17 points of the game and led 17-6 at the half. MSU then gave up the first 14 points of the second half to fall behind 20-17 but kicked a pair of field goals to re-take the lead, then added a defensive score on the game’s last play to secure the upset.

The Spartans out-gained the Wildcats 362-285, out-rushed Northwestern 195-63, and won the turnover battle 4-1, creating a +15 points differential.

Michigan State has now out-gained only two of its five opponents this season and out-rushed just one of five foes.

Two games ago, the Spartans lost to Indiana 24-0, whiffing ATS as seven-point dogs, and three games ago, they lost to Iowa 49-7, missing ATS at +5.5.

At 2-3 overall, Michigan State needs a win this week and another next week over Penn State to even be considered for a bowl bid.

Buckeyes-Spartans Recent History

Ohio State owns a four-game winning streak in the rivalry with Michigan State, going 3-1 ATS in the process, winning the last three meetings by an average score of 36-6. Last year the Buckeyes led the Spartans 27-10 at the half, won 34-10, and covered at -20.

Also, that game played under a total of 51.

• College Football Betting Trends
• Ohio State is 14-0 SU, 9-5 ATS in Big Ten play under Coach Day.
• Ohio State is 17-1 SU, 11-7 ATS with Justin Fields as the starter at quarterback.
• Ohio State is 10-8 ATS its last 18 games favored by 24 points or less.

Totals Report

Overs are 2-1-1 in Buckeyes games this season, which are averaging 71 total points against an average over/under of 68.

Overs are 3-2 in Spartans games this season, which are averaging 49 points against an average O/U of 46.

Unders are 5-0 over the last five meetings between these teams, mostly because Ohio State has held Michigan State to about 10 points per game over that span.

Free College Football Pick

Back in October, Michigan State “upset” rival Michigan at the Big House; the following week, the Spartans suffered a huge letdown and got their butts kicked by Iowa. Last week MSU pulled an upset over Northwestern; we expect another letdown by the Spartans this week. We’ll give the points here with Ohio State. If you’re a college kid betting games every week you GOTTA be gobbling up every single edge you can get! You old guys too! So STOP overpaying for odds! STOP laying -110 on games! Start laying only -105 at BetAnySports! Make the switch! You’ll be so glad you did!