Ohio State-Michigan: Spread, Total, Breakdown and Best Bet for The Game

The most ancticipated contest of the 2023-24 college football regular season is finally upon us.

Sound the alarms. Not only is it Rivalry Week, but this Saturday offers "The Game." Arguably the greatest rivalry in sports, the Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes will clash on the gridiron for the 119th all-time meeting.

In this moment, each school -- both undefeated at 11-0 -- stands in the other's way of a national title. Of course, Ohio State and Michigan would be in the College Football Playoffs if the season ended today. However, pending the results of this weekend's matchup, will that remain the case?

Notably, the University of Michigan decided against appealing the most recent suspension of head coach Jim Harbaugh. With that, he will remain absent on the sidelines this weekend in Ann Arbor.

The ramifications from the game between these Big Ten rivals will resonate throughout all of college football. With everything to play for, can the Wolverines take down Ohio State at the Big House?

Let's dive into the odds and lines with an emphasis on the most valuable of the traditional betting markets.

All college football odds via FanDuel Sportsbook. Updated November 22, 2023 at 2:45 p.m. ET

Ohio State at Michigan Betting Odds: Spread, Moneyline and Total

Kickoff: Saturday (Nov. 25), 12 p.m. ET on FOX

Spread: Michigan -3.5 (-108)

Moneyline:

• Ohio State: +134
• Michigan: -162

Total: 45.5 (-115/-105)

Ohio State at Michigan Matchup Analysis

In Saturday's early window of games, Michigan will attempt to make it three consecutive victories over Ohio State: something the Wolverines have not accomplished since 1995 through 1997 when Charles Woodson was on campus.

Regardless, Michigan is playing with a similar, pervasive energy right now. Many respected lists -- including numberFire's power rankings -- have U-M (30.42 nERD) as the top team in the nation.

Since entering the 21st century, the Buckeyes have held the upper hand in this rivalry. Before the Wolverines' victory in 2021, Ohio State was riding an eight-game winning streak in this series. When it comes to head coach Ryan Day's time with the Buckeyes, OSU is 2-2 against the Maize and Blue. Further out, Michigan holds the all-time (dating back to 1897) lead at 60-51-6.

Back in the present, these institutions are a combined 22-0 on the gridiron this season, dominating their fellow Big Ten competition in the process. In 2023, Michigan's average margin of victory has been 29.3 PPG. However, each of their past two games has been won by only single digits.

Top to bottom, OSU and U-M are two of the most well-rounded programs in America -- they just happen to compete in the Big Ten East versus one another. Situated less than 200 miles apart, the Buckeyes will make the short trip north to Ann Arbor. There, game-day conditions are forecasted to be cold (upper 30s) and clear -- vintage midwestern football.

Michigan and Ohio State have both offenses and defenses rated within FBS' top 20 on the SP+ rankings. For offense, Michigan is 6th (38.5) while OSU is 19th (34.7). Defensively, the Wolverines are ranked second (9.0), but the Buckeyes are tops (8.6) in the nation.

In 2023, U-M has been led by quarterback J.J. McCarthy (90.6 QBR), tailback Blake Corum (nation-leading 20 TDs) and a seemingly impenetrable offensive line. That's why the Wolverines have felt comfortable running the rock at more than 38 attempts per game this season. On D, Michigan showcases playmakers Junior Colson (team-leading 60 tackles), Michael Barrett (3 FF) and Mike Sainristil (5 INT).

Since Ohio State's previous two starting quarterbacks -- C.J. Stroud and Justin Fields -- left for the NFL via the first round of the draft, current signal-caller Kyle McCord (9.9 adjusted yards per attempt) has big shoes to fill in Columbus. Still, he has come along nicely in his first season as a starter, developing a strong rapport with superstar receiver and Heisman-hopeful Marvin Harrison Jr. Of course, Harrison will most likely win the 2023 Biletnikoff Award.

If the Buckeyes have a slight edge, it comes from their defensive unit. D-lineman Tyleik Williams has already logged 10 sacks in 2023 while linebacker Tommy Eichenberg paces the team in activity at 8.1 tackles per game. Simply, the OSU defensive front will present a formidable challenge to Michigan's beefy offensive line.

At FanDuel Sportsbook, Ohio State is attracting more bets and overall handle against the spread (ATS) as well as straight up (SU). In terms of ATS records, the Buckeyes have been slightly better at 7-3-1 this year while Michigan is 5-5-1.

Being that it is the week of Thanksgiving, many of us are dusting off an old recipe in an effort to bring something tasty to family get-togethers. So, what do you get when you mix up two parts "hated rivalry," one part "massive CFP ramifications," and a dash or two of "sign-stealing scandal" to taste? Assuredly, the product will be much more exciting (and certainly safer for consumption) than any concoction I could ever whip up in the kitchen.

Ohio State at Michigan Best Bet

Over 45.5 (-115)

Stuck between a place where my head is set on Michigan -3.5 and my heart toward Ohio State +3.5, I genuinely believe a play on the total to be the safest bet. Naturally, all respect should go toward the defensive units on hand in this bid, but the set total of 45.5 points feels a touch low.

Transparently, Buckeyes-Wolverines have not combined for fewer than 46 points since 2010. Through that span (11 games), U-M and OSU have averaged 68.9 total points in head-to-head meetings. Like most rivalries, these two tend to bring the best out of one another.

Back at numberFire, the game projections yield an estimated score of 27.43-22.32 in favor of the hometown Wolverines. That equates to a sum of 49.69 points, providing more than four points of cushion for over 45.5 supporters. With that, I will not be rooting for a specific side in this annual classic, but for points, points and more points.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.