Michigan Wolverines at Ohio State Buckeyes
Saturday, 11/27/10, 12:00 PM EDT, TV: ABC
Opening Point Spread: Ohio State -17.5
Current Betting Line: Ohio State -16.5
Opening Total: 63
Current Total: 64
Current Moneyline: Ohio State -725 / Michigan +575
Michigan has a 7-4 overall record and will almost assuredly be invited to a bowl game, but head coach Rich Rodriguez may not be around much longer depending on the result of this game. “They may have more to play bowl-wise, championship-wise, and maybe they do have more at stake, but to say it’s less important…no….never,” Rodriguez commented. “Not Michigan-Ohio State.” The Wolverines have dropped both games against the Buckeyes with him on the sidelines, including a 42-7 drubbing in 2008 and 21-10 defeat last year. In fact, Michigan’s last win in the rivalry series was in 2003, when proving victorious by a 35-21 count in Ann Arbor. The team is 3-20 ATS versus conference opponents the last three years and the college football lines page has them as a big underdog.
The Wolverines will be facing off with the Buckeyes for the 107th time on Saturday afternoon, holding a 57-42-6 advantage in the series. Star quarterback Denard Robinson is hoping to pull off a huge upset in the contest and officially place Michigan football back on the map. “I’ve got respect for Ohio State,” he stated. “But I don’t like them.” Michigan is looking to end a four-game losing streak against the Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium and the squad has a 3-6-1 record in the last 10 games played in Columbus. Over the last three years under Rodriguez’s watch, the blue and gold have posted a 1-9 record against top 25 teams.
Ohio State is playing for a sixth straight Big Ten championship and a potential Rose Bowl berth with a victory today and some help in the BCS standings. The Buckeyes are excited about the possibilities ahead, but their head coach always keeps things in perspective during the week of this great rivalry. “You’re defined by your Ohio State-Michigan games,” Tressel stated. “This game has a compartment of its own.” The program has won 43 of its last 48 Big Ten Conference games and is coming off an exciting road win at Iowa. Ohio State is 8-2 ATS on the season and 24-11 ATS over hte past three years.
The Buckeyes lead the Big Ten and ranks third nationally in both total and rushing defense. Ohio State’s offense is undoubtedly led by the play of junior quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who has posted a 29-4 record as the starter for the Buckeyes. The team will also be celebrating Senior Day in Columbus, with the 24-member class taking a 42-8 record into the season finale. It’s very likely that the class will go out with a win against today’s opponent and also taking into account the team’s 16-1 record in November since 2005.
Bettors will find that the Wolverines are 1-11 ATS in their last 12 November games, while the Buckeyes are 13-3 ATS as a home favorite of 10.5 points or more.
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