Michigan vs. Ohio State odds, line, spread: The Game 2023 picks, prediction, best bets by proven model
Ann Arbor hosts the most high-profile matchup of the Week 13 college football schedule on Saturday afternoon. The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes visit the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines in the second straight meeting between the historic rivals in which both teams enter with unbeaten records. Michigan leads the all-time series by a 60-51-6 margin, and the Wolverines look for a third straight win in The Game over Ohio State for the first time since 1997. Both teams are 11-0 overall and 8-0 in Big Ten play, with the winner clinching a division title and a berth in next week's Big Ten Championship Game. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh won't be on the sidelines as he serves the final game of a three-game suspension.
SportsLine consensus lists the Wolverines as 3-point favorites for this noon ET kickoff. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 45.5 in the latest Ohio State vs. Michigan odds. Before making any Michigan vs. Ohio State picks, you need to see the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, the proprietary computer model has generated a strong profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed the model has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Ohio State vs. Michigan and just locked in its picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's CFB picks. Here are several college football odds and trends for Michigan vs. Ohio State:
- Michigan vs. Ohio State spread: Michigan -3
- Michigan vs. Ohio State over/under: 45.5 points
- Michigan vs. Ohio State money line: Michigan -152, Ohio State +128
- OSU: The Buckeyes are 7-3-1 against the spread this season
- MICH: The Wolverines are 5-5-1 against the spread this season
- Michigan vs. Ohio State picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Michigan vs. Ohio State live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why Ohio State can cover
Ohio State's offense is led by one of the best players in the country in star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who is a projected top-five pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Harrison Jr. leads the Big Ten with 1,093 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns this season, and he has scored in seven consecutive games. Harrison Jr. is the foundation of the most prolific passing offense (283.7 yards per game) in the Big Ten this season, and Ohio State also leads the conference with 429.3 total yards per game. On the ground, Ohio State garners strong contributions from TreVeyon Henderson, who leads the Big Ten with 6.7 yards per carry, and he has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in four of the last five games.
On the other side of the ball, Ohio State is No. 2 in the country in scoring defense, yielding only 9.3 points per game, and the Buckeyes have not allowed more than 17 points in any game this season. Ohio State is also No. 4 in the country in total defense, giving up only 252.8 yards per game, and the Buckeyes lead FBS in yards allowed per pass attempt (4.7), passing yards allowed (144.4 per game), and yards allowed per play (3.99). See which team to pick here.
Why Michigan can cover
Michigan's defense is also operating at an exceptionally high level in 2023. The Wolverines are leading the country in scoring defense, giving up only 9.0 points per game. Michigan also leads the nation in scoring percentage allowed (15.7%), red zone percentage allowed (33.3%) and total defense (234.8 yards allowed per game). The Wolverines are also No. 2 in the country in passing yards allowed, giving up fewer than 145 per game, and Michigan has allowed only five passing touchdowns compared to 14 interceptions.
Michigan is in the top 10 in FBS in rushing defense, allowing only 90 yards per game and 3.0 yards per carry, and opponents are giving up an elite 30.3% conversion rate on third downs. Michigan is also No. 1 in the nation in point differential, out-scoring opponents by 29.3 points per game. The Wolverines also have the advantage of playing at home, where they have won all six games this season and out-scored opponents by 29.5 points per contest. That includes only 7.2 points allowed per game in Ann Arbor, and Michigan has won the last two games against Ohio State in impressive fashion. See which team to pick here.
How to make Michigan vs. Ohio State picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over the total, predicting a combined 57 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits more than 50% of the time. You can see the model's CFB picks at SportsLine.
