"The Game" will be an interesting matchup to watch this Saturday, November 25, when the no. 2 Ohio State faces the no. 3 Michigan at the Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The Ohio State vs. Michigan encounter is important for both teams as it carries implications for the Big Ten and hierarchy of the College Football Playoff, USA Today pointed out.
The two teams are in the Big Ten East, and the Ohio State vs. Michigan winner will get the inside track in determining who will represent the division in the conference championship game set for December 2 at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Buckeyes vs. Wolverines Odds
The Wolverines enter this game as 3.5-point favorites over the Buckeyes. The Moneyline is -165 for Michigan State and +140 for Ohio State per the Action Network.
Despite not having head coach Jim Harbaugh present, the Wolverines are still favored to prevail. However, that does not mean the Buckeyes cannot turn the tables and beat the Wolverines.
Here are some reasons that could tilt the favor on the side of Ohio State.
Frustrate the Wolverines' physical game
There is no telling what Michigan has in store for Ohio State heading into this vital clash. But one thing is certain: the Wolverines will be physical, and this is something the Buckeyes need to be ready for.
One ploy that Ryan Day can resort to is to make sure that the Buckeyes run the football. A player who can anchor this strategy is running back TreVeyon Henderson, per SI.com.
Considering the Buckeyes' offensive has improved tremendously, Day may want to emphasize that to even out the odds with the Wolverines. Also worth noting is that Michigan may be unaware of what Henderson brings since he was not around when the two teams met last season.
Buckeyes' defense needs to hold its ground
The Wolverines are not the only ones expected to play good defense. Ohio State has also shown improvement in this department, something that defensive coordinator Jim Knowles handles.
He was taken in specifically to improve the Buckeyes defense, and this has been showing in 2023.
The Buckeyes lead the nation in passing defense, allowing just 4.7 yards per attempt and 144.4 yards per game. Also, their 3.99 yards-per-play is why they are leading the nation, better than three other Big Ten teams, Michigan included, per CBS Sports.
Limit turnovers against Michigan State
Being a high-profile game, most of the players will feed on adrenalin and give it their all. While this is understandable, a key factor is ensuring these moves don't end up counting as turnovers.
Ohio State holds a plus-1 turnover margin and needs to find a way to get more chances to score. In a high-octane game like this, one error could make a difference in terms of momentum or winning the game overall.
With so much on the line, expect the Ohio State vs. Michigan game to be a humdinger. Both teams start the action with heavy stakes at noon ET on Saturday.
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