Ohio State vs. Michigan odds, props, predictions: Buckeyes are live moneyline underdogs

The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes travel to the Big House to take on the No. 3 ranked Michigan Wolverines in the biggest battle in college football this Saturday. Both teams enter the matchup undefeated, and only one team will leave with their perfect record intact.

Here, we break down Ohio State vs. Michigan odds, props, and predictions, and circle the Buckeyes as a live money underdog at a price of .

Depending on how the game plays out, one could find itself outside the College Football Playoff's top four seeds. The winner advances to the Big Ten Championship Game.

A lot is on the table in this historic college football rivalry, setting up one of the most exciting wager environments of the season.

Betting odds for Ohio State vs. Michigan: Point spread, moneyline, total

Here are the live betting odds for Ohio State vs. Michigan from top sports betting apps.

The Game is expected to be a tight one.

Sportsbooks have the Wolverines as slight favorites at home, but anything is possible in a tight contest without Jim Harbaugh on the sideline.

Ohio State is 6-4-1 against the spread this season. Four of the five times they have failed to cover came on the road at Notre Dame, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Rutgers. The Big House in Michigan is one of the toughest places in the country to win on the road, and the Buckeyes have shown plenty of vulnerability away from The Shoe. 

Michigan is slightly worse ATS than the Buckeyes, holding a record of 5-5-1 ATS. They started the season going 0-3-1 before hitting their stride and running off four consecutive wins ATS.

Over their last three games, they have gone 1-2-0 ATS. The last time they failed to cover was the most concerning. They were nearly 18-point favorites against Maryland and escaped the Terrapins by just a touchdown. 

Harbaugh not being on the sideline is having an impact, and this is by far their biggest game of the season this Saturday. 

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Ohio State betting news: Kyle McCord, Marvin Harrison Jr. are key factors

Since getting past Penn State and Wisconsin, the Buckeyes have picked up their offensive pace, running off three consecutive games with 35 or more on the scoreboard. Kyle McCord has thrown eight touchdowns in those games and only one interception.

Also in that stretch, Marvin Harrison Jr. hauled in five touchdowns, and running back TreVeyon Henderson is averaging 6.7 yards per carry and has added four touchdowns of his own.

Ohio State will need each of them to be clicking in this one, as Michigan’s defense has proven to be one of the best in college football. The Wolverines rank No. 1 in passing yards allowed and seventh in rushing yards allowed per game.

However, they haven’t faced an offense as talented as Ohio State’s. Ohio State has a top-30 passing attack and is No. 17 among Power 5 schools. 

They only average 145 rushing yards per game, but Henderson missed multiple outings this season. In the eight he has played, he has topped 100 yards four times and found the endzone in all but one. Between the attention he and Harrison Jr. draw, the Wolverines' defense will be spread thin.

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Michigan betting news: J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum must drive offense

Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy has improved this season, making the Wolverines even more likely to win it all. He's increased his completion percentage by nine points and passer rating by 23 points.

He's managed games for Michigan almost flawlessly, only throwing four interceptions this season – all of which came in two games. However, when they faced Penn State two weeks ago, he looked more like the challenged QB from last year. 

Against the Nittany Lions, he only threw the ball eight times. Michigan running back Blake Corum had a signature game, finishing with 145 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

At one point, the Wolverines rushed the ball 32 straight times. Penn State is number seven in passing yards allowed per game, and in their first game against a defense of that caliber, Michigan felt it necessary to stick to the run.

Ohio State is second in the nation in passing yards allowed. They're also 21st in the nation in rushing yards allowed (15th among Power 5 schools). If they can take away the passing game of the Wolverines yet again, McCarthy and company may not be able to score enough to keep up with the Buckeyes’ more versatile offense.

QB play will decide this game, and despite a much better year, it’s still McCarthy who is the biggest question mark at the position. 

Read: How Jim Harbaugh's absence affects betting lines

Ohio State vs. Michigan picks to consider

• J.J. McCarthy O/U 11.5 rushing yards 
• Marvin Harrison Jr. O/U 94.5 receiving yards
• Blake Corum O/U 84.5 rushing yards
• Kyle McCord O/U 258.5 passing yards
• Roman Wilson O/U 50.5 receiving yards

Here are our favorite two picks:

• Emeka Egbuka anytime TD (): The Wolverines will dedicate ample attention to Harrison Jr. and Henderson to keep them from wrecking the game. Egbuka hasn’t been needed much lately, but with his teammates getting extra attention in a conference battle, he is a great outlet for McCord. He shined the brightest in the biggest games of the season last year. To end the 2022 season, he finished with 125 receiving yards. and one touchdown against Michigan. Then, he racked up 112 receiving yards and a touchdown against Georgia. It’s just about that time of the year again for him. 
• Ohio State on the moneyline (): These teams are evenly matched. However, the Wolverines’ offensive struggles have allowed teams to be competitive deep into games over the last two weeks. If their struggles continue in this one, the Buckeyes have the talent to pull off the upset. Without Harbaugh on the sideline calling the shots in the winning moments, taking the Buckeyes in a game of this magnitude offers great value. 

Ohio State vs. Michigan predictions

When the matchup on paper is as close as this one is, player advantages are usually the determining factor. Harrison Jr. is the only player on the field in Heisman talks, and when the game is on the line, he is best suited to make a play for his team.

Pick: Ohio State moneyline