Michigan football vs Ohio State: Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 13

It’s time for “The Game” and here’s all the key info you’ll need including odds and how to watch for Michigan football vs. Ohio State. 

We are just a few days away from Michigan football against Ohio State. It’s the game that every college football fan is waiting to see.

From a Wolverines’ perspective, Ohio State is the program that started this ridiculous investigation with the private investigative firm and it’s time to settle this all on the field.

Ryan Day can make all the excuses he wants, Michigan football didn’t cheat to win the past two years — it ran the ball down the throat of the Buckeyes who couldn’t stop it.

Figuring out how to block and tackle better is going to be the key for the Buckeyes on Saturday. That’s the same thing for Michigan football. If the Wolverines can pass-protect and open some holes for Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, they are going to have a good shot to win.

These are of two the best teams in the country and the winner of this game will eventually win the Big Ten and head to the College Football Playoff. That’s what’s at stake.

Here’s a look at the odds, how to watch, and our early prediction for Michigan football vs. Ohio State.

Michigan football vs. Ohio State odds

For the first time since 2018, Michigan football is favored against Ohio State. The spread favors the Wolverines by 3.5 points. The over/under is 146 and the money line is +142 for Ohio State, as well as -170 for Michigan.

Michigan vs. Ohio State How to watch

Date: Nov. 25
Game Time: 12:00 PM EST
Venue: The Big House
How to Watch: Fox | Fubo TV

Michigan vs. Ohio State players to watch

J.J. McCarthy

I just don’t see Michigan football winning this game without a spectacular performance from J.J. McCarthy. We all remember what he did against the Buckeyes last season with four total touchdowns against the Buckeyes including three plus 45-yard touchdowns.

That’s not going to happen again. This just feels like it’s going to be more of a low-scoring, traditional Michigan-Ohio State battle. To me, that favors Michigan.

At the end of the day, the team that wins the rushing battle has won this game each season dating back to 2000. Michigan needs to win the ground game, but McCarthy has to deliver in the red zone and on third down.

He also has to run the ball more. Michigan football fans should pray he’s healthy because the Wolverines need their best player to have his best game on Saturday.

TreVeyon Henderson

You might expect this to be Kyle McCord or Marvin Harrison Jr. Those guys are going to have a huge impact on this game. However, if the Buckeyes are going to end the two-game losing streak, they need to stop the run and run the ball better.

If McCord is under pressure and facing third-and-long situations, it’s likely he’s going to have a tougher day. But if Henderson, who has gone over 100 yards rushing in four of his last five games, can replicate that success, the Buckeyes will win this game.

Michigan football vs. Ohio State prediction

This is going to be war. The hatred between these two programs has reached an entirely new level. This might be the last truly high-stakes game between Michigan football and Ohio State with the expanded playoff and Big Ten championship rules.

If this game were happening in 2024, it would be the first of two games, as the Buckeyes and Wolverines would play for the Big Ten title next week, regardless of the result.

So enjoy this version of “The Game”, because we might never see one with as much at stake. The reputations of both programs are on the line and if Ryan Day can’t beat Michigan football with Sherrone Moore coaching, he might go the way of John Cooper.

You can’t use last week as a predictive indicator. Remember when Ohio State seemed vulnerable against Maryland in 2018, then turned around and pounded Michigan 62-36 the next week?

Yes, I do too, so the week before “The Game” means nothing. It’s what happens during those 60 minutes. Ohio State is going to be tough. This defense is better and Michigan’s offensive line isn’t as good as it was last season.

My hope is that Moore has been playing things close to the vest the past two weeks and unleashes the creativity this week. Jim Harbaugh can help with the game-planning and coach all week except during the most important three hours.

But his players have won without him five times this season and they can do it again. This is going to be like the Notre Dame-Ohio State game in my opinion, except Michigan has a better defense, better running backs, and a better quarterack.

Prediction: Michigan 21, Ohio State 17