Michigan football and Ohio State will renew the greatest rivalry in sports on Saturday at the Big House.
The Wolverines are seeking their fifth straight win over Ohio State. This recent run has been one of the best recent memory for Michigan football against Ohio State, similar to winning three straight in 1995-1997 over Ohio State teams that were either undefeated or ranked in the top five.
Michigan also ended the national title dreams of Ohio State in 2003, 2021, and 2023, inside the Big House. That won't happen today because of the 12-team playoff. It's changed the consequences of the rivalry a little bit, but for Michigan football, it's do or die in the playoff/Big Ten race.
The Wolverines need a win, and help to reach the Big Ten title game (an Oregon loss). They might need some help to make the College Football Playoff, too. That's all secondary, though, to beating Ohio State.
It's the only game that matters, and here's a final rundown of the odds, plus some pre-game predictions.
Final odds for Michigan vs. Ohio State
The Buckeyes are a a 10-point favorite. The line has shifted slightly in Michigan's favor since the start of the week. The over/under is 43.5 and the moneyline is +300 for the Wolverines and -380 for Ohio State.
Michigan vs. Ohio State predictions
Much like in 2021, there is expected to be a snowstorm during "The Game." We'll see how bad it turns out to be, but it could help the Wolverines a little.
Yet, snow isn't why Michigan beat Ohio State in 2021. That was the offensive line, Hassan Haskins, and a fierce pass rush, plus a historic performance from Aidan Hutchinson, who earned an invitation to the Heisman Trophy ceremony after a three-sack game, something Derrick Moore needs to replicate for Michigan to win. That's my prediction at least.
I hate to say it, but I have the Buckeyes winning 30-20. There are rumors of a Michigan player returning from injury, maybe Rod Moore or Justice Haynes. So knows. A win doesn't seem impossible, but this Ohio State team is a juggernaut, although that 1995 team was too.
This team is better than the team that just won the national championship, so it's a huge task. But Michigan has been at its best in this game, and it has more at stake.
As for other predictions, the crew at TheWolverine.com is split. Three predictions were for Michigan and three for Ohio State. The Maize and Brew roundtable has five predictions in favor of OSU and four in favor of the Wolverines. Josh Pate has picked Michigan, mostly it seems, because he is of the mind that until Ohio State wins "The Game", he's going with Michigan.
I certainly understand that mindset. Michigan can win this football game, no doubt about it. Can the Wolverines be mistake free? Can they be solid on special teams? Will Bryce Underwood be ready for the moment?
That's going to tell us a lot. Either way, the Buckeyes better get the Wolverines while they can because with six redshirt freshman on offense, the arrow is pointing up in Ann Arbor.
Can Michigan raise its level of play on Thanksgiving weekend again? Everything is on the line and luckily, we'll find out in a few hours.