Michigan vs Ohio State Week 13 Free Betting Pick

Now that Michigan is good again and Jim Harbaugh is in Ann Arbor, I don’t think there can be any argument that the best and most interesting rivalry in college football is Michigan vs. Ohio State. The two bitter rivals face off as usual to close the 2016 regular season and Ohio State will be a home favorite in NCAA football odds.

How To Bet on the Michigan vs Ohio State Week 13 Free Betting Pick & TV Info

Captain Barrett has had enough of all these games #GrindTime #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/iMFNW6uByz

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) July 14, 2016

When: Saturday, Nov. 26, TBA Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus TV: TBA Opening NCAAF Lines: TBA

Ohio State vs Michigan Historic Betting Trends

Ohio State continued its domination in this series with a 42-13 win over UM last season in Ann Arbor. Ohio State won the game on the ground, where it outgained Michigan, 369-57, and averaged nearly seven yards per carry. The Wolverines trailed by just four at halftime, 14-10, but were outscored 28-3 in the second half. Ezekiel Elliott ran through, around and past Michigan’s defense for 214 yards and two touchdowns. Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett had 19 carries for a season-high 139 yards. The 29-point differential was the largest margin of victory for Ohio State in Ann Arbor since a 50-20 win in 1961. Meyer is 4-0 in his Ohio State career vs. Michigan. Wolverines QB Jake Rudock went 19-of- 32 for 263 yards and a touchdown before leaving in the fourth quarter with an apparent injury. His favorite target was senior wide receiver Jehu Chesson, who had eight receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. Chesson also partially blocked a punt in the fourth quarter. Michigan fell to 58-48- 6 in the all-time series against Ohio State and 31-22- 4 in meetings played in Ann Arbor. Last year’s marked the 57th Michigan-Ohio State meeting in which both teams were nationally ranked; the Wolverines are 29-24- 4 in those contests.

Why Bet Ohio State?

The Buckeyes have won 12 of the last 14 games in what has become a lopsided series. But they do return a national-low six starters overall. “Where we are as a team in 2016,” Meyer said, “we have to find a way to replace arguably one of the best group of players ever to come through college football.” Top to bottom, Meyer insisted, this is as talented a group as he’s had in Columbus. It’s just getting them in the right spots that will be the issue. To that end, it helps to have anchors like Barrett (5,446 career total yards and 67 career touchdowns) and linebacker Raekwon McMillan (team-high 119 tackles last year). Barrett actually thinks Ohio State could be better offensively this year without so many well-known hungry mouths to feed. “It was deep everywhere and there’s only one football,” Barrett said of last year’s team. “Somebody is not getting the ball. We were so deep, it’s one of those things like ‘Who do you want to touch it that play?’ (Ezekiel Elliott) too, Zeke had to get his touches and make sure he got himself going in our room, it was a sticky situation for sure.” Elliott ended up with 316 touches from scrimmage while Braxton Miller, Mike Thomas, Jalin Marshall and Curtis Samuel split another 301.

Why Bet Michigan?

Maybe if Barrett is injured. Otherwise I don’t see UM winning in the Horseshoe. Most of last year’s key contributors are back, but the offense needs more playmaking ability as it searches for a quarterback. Jake Rudock’s one-year stint at Michigan resulted in a 3,000-yard (3,017) season, and the Iowa transfer leaves big shoes to fill. Houston transfer John O’Korn is the frontrunner, but freshman Brandon Peters, Wilton Speight, Shane Morris and Alex Malzone will push for snaps. The top running backs return but are largely pedestrian, and a veteran line with four starters is back but needs to improve. The best part of the attack is an experienced corps of pass catchers and a stud tight end. The defense carried a big load in 2015 but must rebuild at linebacker. Another twist: coordinator D.J. Durkin left to coach Maryland, with former Boston College DC Don Brown taking over.

My Free Pick

Go Ohio State to continue its dominance in this series on NCAA football odds.