Ohio State vs. Michigan, 11-25-2017 - Expert Prediction
No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes (9-2 SU, 5-6 ATS, 8-3 O/U) at Michigan Wolverines (8-3 SU, 4-6-1 ATS, 5-5 1 O/U)
Line: Ohio State -11.5
Total:
One of the top rivalries in the nation means more every year as long as both teams are elite. Last season, Ohio State came out on top in a classic, 30-27 overtime win at home. This season, OSU is coming off a 52-14 home win over Illinois. Since losing to Iowa on the road, 55-24, they’ve outscored Illinois and Michigan State, 100-17. While the Buckeyes are still in the playoff picture, Michigan is out. The unranked Wolverines are a disappointing 5-3 in the Big Ten West, well behind 8-0 Wisconsin. Ohio State is 7-1 in the Big 10 East, a game up on Penn State.
Weber, Barrett trample Illini
When Ohio State is focused, there are very few teams that can beat them. They weren’t on their game against Iowa and it showed. Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma took it to them early on the season and that loss still stings, though it could propel the Sooners over the Buckeyes in the playoffs. Ohio State did what they were supposed to do and more against the Illini. They held them to just 105 yards of offense, five first down and 16 passing yards in a simply dominant performance.
J.T. Barrett had an ordinary passing game, completing 11 of 19 for 141 yards with two touchdowns and no picks. He was replaced later in the game by Dwayne Haskins, who threw for a touchdown pass. Running back Mike Weber had an efficient game with 108 yards on 11 carries with two TDs. The Buckeyes rushed for 325 yards and converted 10 of 18 third downs with 27 total first downs. Barrett has 2,687 passing yards with 32 TDs and seven picks on the season. Barrett has gone over 100 passing touchdowns and has 39 rushing touchdowns for his career.
Line: Ohio State -11.5
Total:
One of the top rivalries in the nation means more every year as long as both teams are elite. Last season, Ohio State came out on top in a classic, 30-27 overtime win at home. This season, OSU is coming off a 52-14 home win over Illinois. Since losing to Iowa on the road, 55-24, they’ve outscored Illinois and Michigan State, 100-17. While the Buckeyes are still in the playoff picture, Michigan is out. The unranked Wolverines are a disappointing 5-3 in the Big Ten West, well behind 8-0 Wisconsin. Ohio State is 7-1 in the Big 10 East, a game up on Penn State.
Weber, Barrett trample Illini
When Ohio State is focused, there are very few teams that can beat them. They weren’t on their game against Iowa and it showed. Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma took it to them early on the season and that loss still stings, though it could propel the Sooners over the Buckeyes in the playoffs. Ohio State did what they were supposed to do and more against the Illini. They held them to just 105 yards of offense, five first down and 16 passing yards in a simply dominant performance.
J.T. Barrett had an ordinary passing game, completing 11 of 19 for 141 yards with two touchdowns and no picks. He was replaced later in the game by Dwayne Haskins, who threw for a touchdown pass. Running back Mike Weber had an efficient game with 108 yards on 11 carries with two TDs. The Buckeyes rushed for 325 yards and converted 10 of 18 third downs with 27 total first downs. Barrett has 2,687 passing yards with 32 TDs and seven picks on the season. Barrett has gone over 100 passing touchdowns and has 39 rushing touchdowns for his career.