Sports betting insiders are not giving the visiting Michigan Wolverines much of a shot against the No. 2-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday.
Entering “The Game,” BetOnline Sportsbook tabbed the Buckeyes as 21-point favorites. FanDuel Sportsbook, meanwhile, listed the defending national champion Wolverines as 23.5-point underdogs. ESPN reported that it’s the largest series spread since 1978.
The last time the Buckeyes were officially favored by at least 21 was 2014 when they manhandled the Wolverines, 42-28, but failed to cover. The Buckeyes owned a 30-point spread entering the 2020 matchup, but it was canceled because of COVID-19.
With a win Saturday, the Buckeyes (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) would earn a trip to the conference championship game the No. 1 Oregon Ducks (11-0, 8-0). They will play in the final in Indianapolis regardless of their Week 14 matchup against the Washington Huskies. Michigan (6-5, 4-4), meanwhile, will attempt to sharpen an otherwise dull campaign by capturing their fourth consecutive win over the Buckeyes.
BetOnline Sportsbook also listed the Buckeyes (+250) as the leading candidate to claim the national championship. The Georgia Bulldogs (+350) and the Ducks (+375) drew favorable odds.
It’s Michigan-Ohio State week, and we’re going back in time to Bill Bonds’ legendary commentary on the game. “To sum up my commentary in two words: Go Blue.” #michigan #ohiostate #michiganfootball #wolverines #football #ncaa #collegefootball #goblue pic.twitter.com/OrbbyVbhAE
— WXYZ Detroit (@wxyzdetroit) November 25, 2024
Ohio State Coach Ryan Day On Losing To Michigan: ‘It’s Bad’
Since taking over the Buckeyes’ program in 2019, coach Ryan Day has guided the Buckeyes to double-digit wins in each full season and coached in the 2021 national championship game.
But Day is 1-3 against the Wolverines. During his weekly coach’s show, Day likened a loss to their rivals to a death in his family. The statement was especially poignant considering Day’s father committed suicide when he was a youth.
“We’ve felt what it’s like to not win this game and it’s bad,” Day said. “It’s one of the worst things that’s happened to me in my life, quite honestly. Other than losing my father and a few other things — it’s quite honestly, for my family, the worst thing that’s happened.
“So, we can never have that happen again, ever. And that’s been the approach all season.”
"It means the world, and it's everything here."
Everything #OhioState head coach @ryandaytime said before the #Buckeyes face rival #Michigan.https://t.co/SCMdbtswvo pic.twitter.com/p71thI538s
— Bucknuts (@Bucknuts247) November 26, 2024
College Football Championship Winner Odds
Here is an early look at the odds for college football teams capturing the national title, according to BetOnline Sportsbook:
| Team |
College Football Championship Winner Odds |
|---|---|
| Ohio State | +250 |
| Georgia | +350 |
| Oregon | +375 |
| Texas | +450 |
| Penn State | +1400 |
| Notre Dame | +1400 |
| Tennessee | +2000 |
| Miami (Fla.) | +2500 |
| Alabama | +4000 |
| SMU | +4000 |
| Indiana | +5000 |
| Clemson | +6000 |
| Arizona State | +7500 |
| Boise State | +8000 |
| Mississippi | +10000 |
| Colorado | +2000 |
| Tulane | +2000 |
*-Odds current at time of publication
