Ohio State vs. Michigan Prediction & Betting Picks (November 29th, 2025)
The biggest rivalry in college football commences on Saturday, when the Ohio State Buckeyes look to protect their perfect 11-0 record on the road against the Michigan Wolverines.
Forever known as “The Game”, this undying Big 10 rivalry has been all Michigan lately, but a Buckeyes team with serious title aspirations will look to snap a four-game skid in the series.
The early Michigan vs. Ohio State odds greatly favor the Buckeyes (-400), as they come in hostile territory as 9.5-point favorites, per DraftKings. Michigan’s on fire behind five straight wins and has been unbeatable (5-0) at home this year, giving bettors an interesting dilemma.
So, what’s the best Ohio State vs. Michigan pick to target at online sportsbooks? I’ll look over the latest odds and key matchups as I work my way to my ultimate Ohio State vs. Michigan prediction.
Game Basics & Context
- Matchup: Ohio State Buckeyes (11-0) vs. Michigan Wolverines (9-2)
- Date & Time: Saturday, November 29th, with kickoff at 11:00 am CT (12:00 pm ET).
- Venue: Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, MI
- How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on FOX.
Team Record
- Ohio State is 11-0, 8-0 in the Big 10.
- Michigan is 9-2, 7-1 in the Big 10.
Betting Odds
Check out the latest Ohio State vs. Michigan odds, per ESPN Bet:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Ohio State | -9.5 (-115) | -400 | Over 43.5 (-115) |
Michigan | +9.5 (-105) | +300 | Under 43.5 (-105) |
Rivalry & Venue Context
This is one of the most intense and storied rivalries in all of college football. Nay, it’s the most storied NCAAF rivalry.
Michigan and Ohio State seem to take turns dominating the country, and their games are always must-see TV. The Wolverines hold the all-time series edge (62-51-6), and have owned the Buckeyes of late with four straight wins.
The good news? The games have been close recently. Michigan edged out Ohio State 13-10 last year, while the game prior to that (30-24) was also close. This recent run followed years of domination by the Buckeyes, of course, with Ohio State winning eight in a row from 2012 to 2019.
As for the venue, the Wolverines are very tough to beat in Ann Arbor. They have yet to lose here in 2025, and they’re 2-0 at home in this series in the last two meetings.
Why This Game Matters
This one has a bit of everything. Ohio State is looking to wrap up a CFP spot with a win here (and in the Big 10 title game), and perhaps the #1 seed in the tournament.
Ohio State is probably making the College Football Playoffs no matter what, but a loss here and a loss in the Big 10 title game would put them at risk of falling out of favor.
Michigan, meanwhile, is a bit more desperate. They need to win this game to give themselves a shot at the CFP, while a win here would give them a chance to play in the Big 10 title game.
Of course, with a rivalry like this, all of the extra playoff implications are merely a bonus. This has the best team in the country against a worthy contender, and we’re about to find out just how good both of these squads are.
Team Profiles
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes have been rather impressive, considering they said goodbye to a bunch of key starters in the NFL Draft this offseason.
No matter, as Ohio State edged out Texas in a defensive battle in the first game of the season, and proceeded to trounce everyone else from that point on. The Buckeyes haven’t been challenged at any point, but they also have not had a very difficult schedule.
Michigan will undeniably be Ohio State’s only legitimate test since facing the Longhorns, but their domination on both ends of the field put them in position to run the table.
Here’s a quick look at what’s made the Buckeyes so good this year:
- Splash Plays: Ohio State can run on anyone, and they can burn you through the air. More importantly, though, they can beat defenses down the field. They come into this matchup ranking 34th in yards per rush and 12th in yards per pass. Their explosive offense gives them a leg up in almost any matchup.
- Max Protect: As explosive as the Buckeyes offense is, it’s even better at being disciplined and taking care of the football. They are hyper-efficient (1st in completion rate), don’t take sacks (3rd lowest sack rate), and average the 3rd fewest giveaways in the country.
- Suffocating Defense: This is hands down the best defense in college football. Opponents aside, Ohio State ranks 3rd against the run, 1st against the pass, and allows just 8.4 points per game (1st). They also have the nation’s 3rd-best sack rate and the country’s stingiest red-zone defense.
Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines don’t have quite the resume of their bitter Big 10 rivals, but a stout 9-2 record and 7-1 run inside the conference makes them a formidable opponent.
Michigan got off to a nice start with a 34-17 win over New Mexico, but did get tripped up in their second game – a 24-13 loss to a good Sooners team. Their only other loss came against USC in the middle of the year, where they allowed the Trojans to do as they pleased in a 31-13 blowout defeat.
The Wolverines did respond well with a nice five-game winning streak, but they have certainly been inconsistent in terms of performance, while several of their games have been a bit closer than experts felt they should have been.
Here’s a quick look at what makes Michigan a tough out:
- Rush Attack: Michigan has a dynamic duo on the ground with Justice Haynes (7.1 yards per carry) and Jordan Marshall (10 TDs) dominating defenses all year. That pairing headlines a ground game that puts up 224.6 rushing yards per game (10th) and averages an absurd 5.7 yards per carry (6th).
- Strong Defense: Michigan tends to play complementary football between their rushing offense and defense. The defense is just as nasty up front, allowing the 9th fewest rushing yards per game, while they also only allow 17.9 points per game.
- Elite Discipline: Michigan is one of the best offenses in the nation in terms of avoiding penalties. The Wolverines rarely shoot themselves in the foot in this regard, averaging just 4.3 penalties per game (12th fewest).
Key Matchup Angles
Consider the following key Buckeyes vs. Wolverines matchups:
- Michigan’s rush offense vs. Ohio State’s run defense: This is the most important matchup of the game. The Wolverines run the ball almost 60% of the time and are very good at it. Whether they can find that same level of success against Ohio State’s nasty run defense, however, is the question.
- Ohio State’s RZ offense vs. Michigan’s RZ defense: The Buckeyes make big plays and move the ball at will, but Michigan is still sound defensively. Their elite RZ offense (28th) will need to show up against a solid Michigan RZ defense (48th).
- Jeremiah Smith vs. Michigan’s secondary: Ohio State’s big plays need to be prevalent here. They have several players who can make an impact down the field, but the pressure will be on star wideout Jeremiah Smith (902 receiving yards) to find success against a Wolverines defense allowing just 6.3 yards per pass (22nd fewest).
Betting Insights & Trends
Both teams are in good form at the moment. Ohio State hasn’t lost any of their 11 games yet this year, while the Wolverines have won five games in a row.
This series has also been all Michigan lately, as they’ve won four straight over Ohio State. The Wolverines have also been tough at home, going 2-0 the last two times they played the Buckeyes in Ann Arbor, and 5-0 here on the year.
Ohio State has been very impressive (9-1-1) against the spread this year. They have been favored in every game and almost always meet the challenge.
Michigan can’t say the same, as they are 4-7 against the spread overall, 1-2 ATS as the underdog, and just 2-3 ATS at home.
Best Bets & Confidence Levels
Check out my favorite Michigan vs. Ohio State picks:
| Bet | Recommendation | Confidence Level |
|---|---|---|
Ohio State ATS -9.5 (-115) | The Buckeyes are just the far better team this year. Michigan defends well and runs as effectively as anyone, but the Buckeyes have an even better defense and should be able to prevent MI from executing their lone offensive strength. | 7/10 |
Over 43.5 (-105) | I don’t see Michigan putting up a ton of points here, but the Buckeyes have the explosiveness to give the Wolverines a really hard time. Ohio State games have topped this Over in three of their last four games, and the Buckeyes could have some revenge on the brain. | 7/10 |
- Primary Pick: Ohio State ATS -9.5 (-112)
- Secondary Pick: Over 43.5 (-115)
Ohio State has been dominating everyone. I will admit that Texas played them close at the beginning of the year, but that was before a young team could round into form.
The game total is very light and suggests a defensive battle, but Michigan is still giving up almost 18 points per game. Against an explosive Ohio State offense, I don’t think they put up that much resistance.
Ohio State vs. Michigan odds can shift fast — track every line move, compare spreads and totals, and lock in the best value before kickoff at the top football betting sites.
Risk Factors & What Could Go Wrong
Sometimes even the best wagers can fail. Here’s why my Ohio State vs. Michigan picks could miss the mark:
- Home Field Edge: Michigan gets to play this game at home, where they are very tough to beat. Having the crowd on their side could help turn the tables.
- Rebuttal: Ohio State’s run defense is elite, but Michigan’s rush offense is pretty tough to stop. Something has to break in this matchup, and it’s always possible the Wolverines dominate on the ground.
- Defensive Battle: We have two very good defenses on the field in a crucial game. I think the total is too low, but it’s not crazy to think we get another low-scoring battle like we did last year.
Putting Our Pick on the Board: Here’s How It Plays Out
Final Score Prediction: Ohio State 35, Michigan 10
Look away, Michigan fans, but I see a blowout coming. There is so much working into this, as Ohio State has not won a game against the Wolverines in four years, and they have a shot at a perfect season – plus another national championship – if they just win out.
Ohio State is simply the more dynamic and more balanced team. They have the defensive bite to combat Michigan’s defense, and their run defense could very well shut Michigan’s best offensive weapons down completely.
I’m not calling for a 55-0 romp, but Ohio State has dominated virtually everyone they’ve faced, and I don’t think their reign of terror ends here.
Most Buckeyes vs. Wolverines predictions are going to end with Ohio State on top, and rightfully so. There’s no value in betting on the Buckeyes ML, though, so I’d target Ohio State to cover and for this game to go (slightly) Over the listed total.
