$OHIO STATE$

Ohio State rolls into Ann Arbor with the nation’s best defense (7.6 ppg allowed), and that’s the clear edge. Michigan is banged up across the board, with several key offensive and defensive leaders either injured or questionable, which hurts their ability to sustain drives. OSU doesn’t need fireworks, Sayin has been efficient, the WR room is deeper, and the Buckeye defense dominates early downs and passing situations. After four straight losses in the rivalry, the motivation edge finally swings OSU’s way, and they enter as the healthier, deeper roster. Michigan will try to grind with the run, but without their usual leadership and continuity, it’s tough to see them matching OSU for 60 minutes.

Ohio State’s defense controls the early part of the game, forcing Michigan into long-yardage downs and stalled drives. The Wolverines will hit a couple chunk plays, maybe one fluky TD, but sustaining drives is a big ask.

Sayin will be efficient, OSU will run enough to keep balance, and the Buckeyes’ WR depth eventually creates separation.

OSU is 15-1 SU and 13-3 ATS in this series when they have the better defense. Check the box, Buckeyes clearly have the stronger D.

Ohio State -9.5 

Great write. Agreed. Best of luck

Man ou Michigan games are janky remember last year

Good luck Dr. G.  

@DrGame

 Spot on buddy, I'm with you.  

@DrGame

 Not so fast...  This has been said the past 5 years ..  Michigan at HOME with home field advantage and its going to be COLD COLD COLD and snowing, Ohio State hasn't faced anyone all year so they haven't been tested yet. Don't tell me they played Texas either. Texas SUCKS and should have never been ranked to begin with. 

Michigan +10 and throw it as a teaser Michigan + 16

Going to be a DOG FIGHT, Ohio State is SOFT every year when they play Michigan

Didnt Michigan win at Columbus last year with a walk on QB?? I believe they did.. Smith and Tate may play for OHIO but they are not going to be at 100% either..

@magicmike45

Appreciate the counter, but a few things need correcting.

1. “This has been said for 5 years.”

True but this OSU team isn’t built like the last five. This is the best defense Day has had, allowing 7.6 ppg, and the healthiest roster OSU has taken into this matchup in years. Michigan, meanwhile, is the one dealing with injuries and missing leaders on both sides of the ball.

2. “OSU hasn’t played anyone.”

They’ve faced multiple top-20 defenses, and the Texas win absolutely counts. Texas returned elite talent. Michigan’s schedule has been significantly softer.

3. Weather helps the better defense.

Cold + snow doesn’t magically favor one team it favors the team that stops the run better. That’s OSU by a wide margin this year.

4. “OSU is soft.”

If this defense is soft, nobody in the country is tough. They’ve dominated trenches all season and haven’t allowed a team to breathe in the second half. (With backups intentionally)

5. “Michigan won in Columbus with a walk-on QB.”

Yes, but that was OSU’s worst defensive year in awhile and Michigan’s best roster in years. This Michigan team is nowhere near that level, and their QB situation is shaky at best.

6. Smith and Tate not 100%?

Both expected to play and have been trending upward. OSU is healthier at key positions than Michigan.

All respect to the rivalry, and sure, it’ll be physical, it always is. But the matchup edges this year lean heavily Ohio State, especially defensively.

@magicmike45

Appreciate the counter, but a few things need correcting.

1. “This has been said for 5 years.”

True but this OSU team isn’t built like the last five. This is the best defense Day has had, allowing 7.6 ppg, and the healthiest roster OSU has taken into this matchup in years. Michigan, meanwhile, is the one dealing with injuries and missing leaders on both sides of the ball.

2. “OSU hasn’t played anyone.”

They’ve faced multiple top-20 defenses, and the Texas win absolutely counts. Texas returned elite talent. Michigan’s schedule has been significantly softer.

3. Weather helps the better defense.

Cold + snow doesn’t magically favor one team it favors the team that stops the run better. That’s OSU by a wide margin this year.

4. “OSU is soft.”

If this defense is soft, nobody in the country is tough. They’ve dominated trenches all season and haven’t allowed a team to breathe in the second half. (With backups intentionally)

5. “Michigan won in Columbus with a walk-on QB.”

Yes, but that was OSU’s worst defensive year in awhile and Michigan’s best roster in years. This Michigan team is nowhere near that level, and their QB situation is shaky at best.

6. Smith and Tate not 100%?

Both expected to play and have been trending upward. OSU is healthier at key positions than Michigan.

All respect to the rivalry, and sure, it’ll be physical, it always is. But the matchup edges this year lean heavily Ohio State, especially defensively.

@DrGame

Bottom line is if MICH can go into OSU and win with a loser QB like last year now OSU faces a very good and highly regarded UNDERWOOD. This game is going to fun! 

Ohio State hasn’t forgot about the flag planting incident.  They are going to beat the brakes off this Michigan team.  Patricia will give Underwood fits.  Michigan won’t score more than 10 pts.  

wont be snowing until after game 

Ohio State’s schedule is soft as charmin, Texas stinks, and anything can happen in a rivalry game. If the weather was below 25 degrees and snowing I’d be all over Michigan with double digits (OSU alum) as the Wolverines just run the ball all game and try to control the trenches. BUT it’s showing 30 degrees and no snow during the game.

This is a huge overreaction with the weather. Everyone in my Vegas betting group/online keeps talking about it. 30 degrees ain’t shit from Ohio and only 10 mph wind lol. 

@DrGame

 They haven't played Michigan yet............ I'm telling you.... Michigan is no joke.....  I've seen this rivalry for the past 50 years and every single time when Ohio State is HYPED , it goes the other way.. This is a rivalry game, throw all that crap out the window

Michigan will be ready they always are when the so-called experts count them out. 

Michigan isn't that banged up ;like you think they are either.....They got their defense in tact. The O Line has jelled and there RBs will be playing...  

MICHIGAN + 10 and line dropping in their favor

Hate to tell the OP that Michigan has played the more difficult schedule this year to date and it’s not particularly close.

Ya i got michigan under 16.5

gl to all 

@DrGame

 https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DKezosUt3/

@FatCheeks

 EXACTLY!!

@DrGame

Point #5 is where you totally lost me. 2024 was Michigan’s best roster in years? It was easily their worst roster since pre-Covid… by a wide margin. They went 15-0 and won the national title just the year before, and made the 4 team playoff each of the previous two years before that. 

Michigan winning at the horseshoe last year is proof that this is one of those games where you can throw logic out the window. They had a walk on QB and the worst passing offense among major teams in the nation, yet they went in there and beat the top team in the country. The talent gap is not nearly as wide this year as it was last year, and the underdog is now at home. 9.5 is not a number I’d be willing to lay, personally. 

Have you all forgotten that Michigan pays the price (literally 10s of millions) in fines for the entire SIGN STEALING gate? Jim Harbaugh and the 24-25 team were frauds.

@Daran.T

 Harbaugh didn’t coach the ‘24-‘25 team. 

No, Texas isn't great. 

But, they're not garbage either. 

The Texas team some are trashing are currently leading the #3 Team in the country (much to my chagrin). 

As an Ohio State fan I concede if we were in the SEC we'd probably have a loss by now. 

But, we're much better than Mich. 

Can anything happen in a rivalry game? Especially this one? Absolutely. 

That's the beauty of the sport. However, I think the Ohio State defense is going to be the key and they'll be headed to Indy by 4pm tomorrow. 

Texas just beat A&M