Week 13 is highlighted by the greatest rivalry in all of college football, and arguably sports itself. The Michigan Wolverines have finally taken the form that was envisioned by head coach Jim Harbaugh when he took over in 2015. The Maize and Blue feature a rock-ribbed defense and a much-improved offense with a quarterback in Shea Patterson that has multiple threat capability. The Ohio State Buckeyes have an explosive offense led by sophomore sensation quarterback Dwayne Haskins. But their defense has been rendered helpless and has Buckeye Nation fearful that the “School Up North” will finally prevail at the Horseshoe.
This matchup in Week 13 will take place on Saturday, November 24, 2018, at noon ET from Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio. FOX is providing the telecast of this game.
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Michigan – (Check Back Later)
Ohio State – (Check Back Later)
Over/Under (Check Back Later)
Live Betting Odds Analysis
Michigan will be getting a lot of love from the gambling public due to their recent form and because of the struggles of Ohio State. The media is hyping the Maize and Blue like never before while also harping on the sideline antics of Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer and OSU’s terrible defense.
Urban Crackup
Ohio State is 10-1 straight up but 4-7 against the spread with a 5-6 mark under the total. Last week was a near death experience for the Buckeyes in a 52-51 overtime win at Maryland in which the Terrapins missed a wide-open pass on a two-point conversion at game’s end. What was most alarming were the relentless sideline shots of Meyer bent over by himself, even as his players and coaches were discussing strategy. Meyer was also often wincing in agony as he watched his defense be emasculated for 536 yards by the Terps.
In Bo’s Image
Michigan has dreamed of returning to the glory days of the late great coach Bo Schembechler, who made the Wolverines into a national power based on nasty defenses and effective offensive line play. In Harbaugh’s fourth season the dream has become reality. Michigan is 10-1 straight up, 6-5 against the spread, and 6-5 over the total. Last week the Wolverines were likely peaking ahead to this one as they struggled to get past Indiana 31-20 as 28-point overlays.
Matchup Metrics
Michigan is ranked tops in the country for total defense and 24th for scoring offense. The ground game has made dramatic improvement to rank 22nd in the country.
Ohio State has the second ranked offense in the country but that is offset by a defense that ranks 70th in the land. If the late great OSU coach Woody Hayes would see that number chairs would certainly be flying!
Players to Watch
Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins has a 167.1 rating with 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He came off the bench to beat the Wolverines at the Big House last year.
Michigan signal caller Shea Patterson has a 157.7 rating with 18 touchdowns and four interceptions. But the difference could be Wolverines running back Karan Higdon, who has 1106 yards rushing with 5.3 yards per carry and 10 touchdowns. Of concern is Michigan’s dominant defensive end Chase Winovich, who was injured last week against Indiana but is expected to start in this one. Winovich is the spiritual leader of the defense and the lead promotor of Michigan’s “Revenge Tour” that has already settled scores this year against Michigan State and Penn State.
ATS Trends
Michigan has been a weak wagering value on the road as of late with just two payouts in their last eight games away from home. The Maize and Blue have gone under the total in five of their last six road tilts. Ohio State has been streaky vs. the line at the Horseshoe recently. For example, the Buckeyes have failed to get the money in their last three home games. But prior to that they paid in three straight games at Ohio Stadium. Long term the Scarlet and Gray has come away with the cash in just six of their last 17 games at The Shoe.
Head to Head
Despite the Buckeyes dominance of this head to head series straight up, many would be surprised to find that Michigan has been the superior wagering value. Consider that the Maize and Blue have covered four of their last five against Ohio State. All five of those games also went over the total. And at The Shoe, the Wolverines have come away with the cash in their last two visits with both games going over the total.
Free Live Betting ATS Pick
This is Michigan’s year. They are the tougher team with the far superior defense and running game.
College Football Live Betting Odds Pick: Michigan Wolverines
College Football Live Betting Score Prediction: Wolverines 38, Buckeyes 28
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