NCAA Football Betting – Ohio State favored over Michigan
Posted on 11/17/2008 4:18:30 PM
By Blake Frazier
Ohio State vs Michigan odds: football’s greatest rivalry
- WHO: Michigan Wolverines at No.10 Ohio State Buckeyes (-20.5)
- WHAT: NCAA football betting
- WHEN: Saturday, November 22 at 12:00 p.m. ET
- WHERE: Ohio Stadium (The Horseshoe) in Columbus, OH
- KEY STATS: Ohio State has won seven of its last 10 meetings with Michigan
- PICK: Ohio State
Offshore sportsbook players usually keep an eye on rivalry games and, when it comes to Michigan and Ohio State,
there are no bigger rivalries in all of college football.
NCAA football betting has the Buckeyes as a massive favorite at home, but you can bet that the Wolverines will be fired up for this Big Ten affair.
The Wolverines (3-8) set a record for losses as they fell 21-14 at home to Northwestern last weekend, and they have also set a Michigan record for most losses at “The Big House” with five.
A late collapse was Michigan’s downfall, as it allowed 14 fourth-quarter points against the Wildcats, wasting a productive day by Carlos Brown, who ran 23 times for 115 yards.
The Michigan aerial attack was atrocious; Nick Sheridan and Steven Threet combined to go 12-of-36 for 83 yards with a pick and, with that line, the Wolverines are assured of their first losing season since 1967.
Michigan vs Ohio State odds have the Wolverines as double-digit underdogs for the first time in this series since 1998, when they lost 31-16 at Ohio State as 10-point underdogs.
The Buckeyes (9-2) ran for 305 yards in a 30-20 win at Illinois, paced by 143 yards and a score from “Beanie” Wells. Terrelle Pryor added 110 yards and another major, and he was also 6-of-10 for 49 yards and a touchdown. If you can run at will, you don’t need to risk possible interceptions (especially with a freshman pivot running the show), and running the ball also gained Ohio State over 33 minutes of possession.
The Buckeyes’ usually stout defense allowed 455 yards to the Fighting Illini, but
they also forced a pair of turnovers and held Illinois to two field goals in a crucial third quarter. The Buckeyes also had revenge on their minds as Illinois ruined their hopes of an undefeated season last year, and they also paid off well for
NCAA football betting players in the process.
Michigan vs Ohio State odds have the Buckeyes as 20.5-point favorites, and they have won seven of their last 10 overall against the Wolverines, including three straight at the “Horseshoe”.
Michigan’s players will be forgiven for their awful season if they can beat Ohio State, but
the Buckeyes will try to use Wells to wear down the defense. Wells lit up the Wolverines for 222 yards and a pair of scores last year, and this season’s Michigan defense is not nearly as good.
BLAKE’S PICK: Pryor will also want to show the
Michigan vs Ohio State betting fans what he can do. This will be Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez’s initiation into the rivalry, but his Ohio State counterpart, Jim Tressel, is 6-1 against the Wolverines and will be going for his fifth straight win, which would be a first in this series.
Bet on the Ohio State.
For more
NCAA football betting analysis and
Michigan vs Ohio State odds, bookmark the Betting Edge from BetOnline.com.
Blake walked onto his college football team and had a brief stint as an assistant coach after he graduated. He brings a sharp mind to the world of sports handicapping. Blake understands the nuances of the game that only someone who has played would understand. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
