2024 Michigan vs Ohio State Football Game: Odds, Early Prediction, and Pick

• #2 Ohio State is a 20.5-point home favorite over Michigan in Week 14 College Football action on Saturday, November 30
• The Buckeyes can clinch a Big Ten Championship Game berth with a victory
• Check out the Michigan vs Ohio State odds, early prediction and pick, below

Ohio State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) is peaking at exactly the right time. The #2 Buckeyes have beaten two top-5 teams in the last month, and bring a five-game winning streak into Saturday’s regular season finale with rival Michigan.

Online sportsbooks don’t expect much resistance from the Wolverines, despite their recent dominance over OSU. The Buckeyes are sizeable home chalk in the latest college football odds, as they look to beat Michigan for the first time in four tries.

Michigan vs Ohio State Odds

Ohio State opened as 20.5-point favorites, and that’s exactly where the line sits at most shops. The early betting action favors the underdog, as Michigan is drawing 69% of the tickets and 78% of the money to cover the spread.

Total-wise, bettors are expecting a low-scoring affair. Per the college football public betting splits, the over/under opened at 44.5, but has been bet down a point. The action looks to be the result of sharp money, as the under is garnering 44% of the handle off just 18% of the wagers.

Odds as of November 26 (12 pm ET) at Caesars Sportsbook. Be sure to check out the best Caesars Sportsbook promos before betting on NCAAF Week 14.

Kickoff for this Big Ten showdown is set for Noon ET at Ohio Stadium, in Columbus, OH, with FOX providing the broadcast coverage.

Buckeyes Out for Blood

The spread for Saturday’s contest is the largest in this rivalry since 2014 when OSU was laying 21 points. They failed to cover on that day, beating the Wolverines 42-28. The Buckeyes went on to win the Big Ten that season, but fell short of the BCS Championship Game.

This year, the Buckeyes are not only a virtual lock to make the College Football Playoff, they’re also the favorites in the National Championship odds. They’re a win away from a spot in the Big Ten title game and a likely rematch with #1 Oregon. The Ducks are the only blemish on OSU’s resume, and the Buckeyes look poised for revenge.

Speaking of revenge, that’s exactly what Ohio State is seeking on Saturday. They’ve been blown out in two of their past three meetings with Michigan, but this year the tables will be turned.

The Greatest Rivalry in all of Sport

SWING, SWING , SWING 🥊 pic.twitter.com/4hrYsKpgex

— Official Ohio State DG (@DylanEveryday) November 26, 2024

Top to bottom, the Buckeyes are the best team in college football. They’re one of only two teams to boast top-5 SP+ rankings on both sides of the ball, and they own the nation’s number one defense. OSU is allowing the fewest points (10.7) and yards (241) per game, and has turned up the pressure on opposing QB’s lately.

Since their loss to Oregon in early October, Ohio State has been blitzing on 35% of opponent drop backs. They’ve racked up a sack on 11% of those snaps, bringing down Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke five times last week. Just how good was the OSU defense versus #5 Indiana in Week 13? They held Rourke to a 44% completion rate and just 68 yards on 18 throws.

On the other side of the ball, the two-headed monster of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson are averaging 5.2 yards per carry, while Will Howard is playing flawlessly under center. Howard threw three touchdowns in last week’s victory versus the Hoosiers to raise his QBR to 85.4. That ranks fourth nationally, while the Buckeyes offense is now up to sixth in EPA/play.

Wolverines Lack Bite

For Michigan, what a difference a year makes. After completing a perfect season en route to the National Championship, the Wolverines lost head coach Jim Harbaugh, as well as 15+ impactful starters. This season, they’re an underwhelming 5-5 under new coach Sherrone Moore, dropping four of their past six. The defense is still strong, ranking top-25 in points allowed, but the offense has taken a huge step back.

Michigan ranks outside the top-95 in both points and yards per game. They’ve scored 17 or less in each of their past four losses, while Davis Warren is one of three QB’s to start a game. Warren may be the most experienced of the bunch, but his numbers are pedestrian. He’s thrown more interceptions (7) than touchdowns (6), while averaging only 5.9 yards per completion.

Michigan QB Davis Warren: “We’re not going to win this game by being emotional. … Being emotionally unstable, that’s a good way to lose this game”

Says confidence, following assignments and “letting it rip” are the keys for the offense

— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) November 25, 2024

Expectations should be kept low versus this ferocious OSU defense, making running back Kalel Mullings Michigan’s best avenue for success. Mullings is fresh off a 3 TD game versus Northwestern, and averages 5.4 yards per carry.

Michigan vs Ohio State Early Prediction

While a run heavy approach is likely for the Wolverines, Ohio State might lean that way as well, even more so than usual. The Buckeyes already pound the rock on 54% of their plays, and Saturday’s weather could force them into more running.

Kickoff temperatures are expected to be in the high teens, with winds gusting around 20 mph. Sustained winds of 15+ mph have been shown to drastically affect passing efficiency, while increased rushing bleeds clock.

Sharp money is already on the under, and the combination of two good defenses, and possible nasty conditions could see the line drop even further. Follow the professionals, and bet the under.

• Michigan vs Ohio State Early Pick: Under 43.5 (-110)

The annual Michigan vs Ohio State football game is always one of the most highly anticipated matchups in college football, and the 2024 edition is no exception. With both teams boasting talented rosters and passionate fan bases, this game is sure to be a thrilling showdown between two historic rivals.

As of now, the odds for the 2024 Michigan vs Ohio State game have not been released, but it is safe to assume that the betting lines will be close given the competitive nature of this rivalry. Both teams have had success in recent years, with Ohio State consistently ranking among the top teams in the country and Michigan showing improvement under head coach Jim Harbaugh.

In terms of early predictions, it is difficult to say which team will come out on top in this matchup. Ohio State has had the upper hand in recent years, winning the last several meetings between the two teams. However, Michigan has been steadily improving and could pose a serious challenge to the Buckeyes in 2024.

One key factor to consider in this game is the quarterback play. Both teams have talented signal callers who are capable of making big plays and leading their teams to victory. Ohio State will likely have a strong offense led by their quarterback, while Michigan will look to their own signal caller to lead them to a win.

Ultimately, this game is sure to be a closely contested battle that could go either way. Both teams have talented players and passionate fan bases that will be cheering them on to victory. In the end, it will come down to which team can execute their game plan and make the big plays when it matters most.

As for a pick in this game, it is tough to make a definitive prediction at this early stage. However, based on recent history and the talent on both rosters, Ohio State may have a slight edge in this matchup. That being said, Michigan is more than capable of pulling off an upset and should not be counted out.

Overall, the 2024 Michigan vs Ohio State football game is shaping up to be a must-watch event for college football fans. With high stakes, intense competition, and historic rivalry on the line, this game is sure to deliver plenty of excitement and drama for all involved.