Ohio State vs. Michigan State NCAA Football Odds Guide

The second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes will be playing at home when they host the rival Michigan State Spartans in a huge Week 12 Big Ten battle that will have postseason implications for both ball clubs. Now, whether or not the Buckeyes can bring home the bacon as nearly two-touchdown favorites and cover the College Football betting spread is another story altogether. Let’s find out which one of these four-team playoff hopefuls will keep their national championship hopes alive and which one could see their 2015 postseason plans go up in smoke!

How To Bet the Spartans @ Buckeyes NCAA Football Odds, TV & Game Info

When: Saturday, November 21, 3:30 PM ET Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio NCAAF Odds: Ohio State Buckeyes -13 Over/Under: 52.5 TV: ABC

Thursday’s practice is in the books, so it’s time to load the equipment truck for the road trip to Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/NTivcy5lAK

— Spartan Football (@MSU_Football) November 19, 2015

Betting on the Michigan State Spartans (9-1 SU, 3-7 ATS)

The Spartans rebounded from their heartbreaking Week 10 loss to Nebraska to beat Maryland 24-7 in Week 11 and cash in as a 14.5-point home favorite Quarterback Connor Cook completed just six of 20 passes for 77 yards with one interception in the win and was sidelined in the second half after injuring his shoulder after being driven into the ground in the first quarter. “My shoulder is good,” Cook said Tuesday. “I’m going to be ready to go so there is no issue with that.” Running back Gerald Holmes rushed for 83 yards and one score on 18 carries and the Spartans defense forced five turnovers in the win. For the season, Cook is completing 56.3 percent of his passes for 2,482 yards with 21 touchdowns and four interceptions. Cook has an impressive eight touchdown passes in his last three games. “He’s one of the best quarterbacks we’ll face this year,” Buckeyes cornerback Eli Apple said. Cook passed for 358 and two touchdowns in last season’s 49-37 home loss in East Lansing. “I think this is another opportunity to establish his legacy. I think he will play well,” Dantonio said. “He’s always played well on a big stage.” Michigan State is ranked 45th in scoring (32.9 ppg) and 37th in points allowed (22.3 ppg).

Betting on the Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0 SU, 4-6 ATS)

The Buckeyes rolled all over Illinois in their 28-3 rout over the Fighting Illini’ on Saturday while easily covering the spread as a 17.5-point road favorite. Gifted running back Ezekiel Elliott led the way to victory by rushing for 181 yards and two scores on 27 carries. More importantly, the Buckeyes’ nearly season-long quarterback switching is apparently finally over with J.T. Barrett reclaiming the starting job over Cardale Jones after serving a one-game suspension. Barrett completed 15 of 23 passes for 150 yards with one touchdown and one interception while rushing 16 times for 74 yards and another score. Defensively, the Buckeyes held Illinois to just 20 rushing yards in the convincing win. “We know there are issues,” head coach Urban Meyer said. “This is not a perfect team. I’ve never seen a perfect team. As a matter of fact, we’ve got a long way to go. There are certain areas we’re not playing very good, and that’s why we practice all the time.” For the season, Barrett has completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 622 yards with eight touchdowns and three touchdowns while Ezekiel Elliott has rushed 1,425 yards and 16 touchdowns. “We haven’t really been tested,” left tackle Taylor Decker said. “This is a huge gauge for us going into some of the biggest games at the end of the season, because this is the biggest game we’ve played yet this season. The Buckeyes are ranked 28th in scoring (36.4 ppg) and a stupendous second in points allowed (13.8 ppg).

My Expert Game Analysis, Prediction & Pick

I’m going to come right out and say that, while I don’t see Michigan State pulling off the outright road upset over Ohio State in this enormous Big Ten pairing, I also don’t see the Spartans losing by two touchdowns – and apparently, a whopping 76 percent of public bettors agree! Michigan State has gone 4-1 ATS in their last five games following an ATS win and 6-2 ATS in their last eight games against a team with a winning record. While the Spartans have also gone 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 road games against a team with a winning home record and 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 road games overall, Ohio State has gone just 1-4 ATS in their L/5 games in the month of November and a discouraging 1-5 ATS in their last six home games. Sure, Michigan State may be 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 meetings against Ohio State, but the road team in this longtime rivalry is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings and the underdog is a perfect 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings. The Buckeyes win, but the Spartans get the ATS cover in a thriller. My Betting Pick: Ohio State 24 Michigan State 21