In the biggest game on this week’s college football schedule, two top-ten teams clash in Columbus as Ohio State hosts Michigan State. Not only are both teams vying for a Big Ten title, both are in the thick of the College Football Playoff race. The Buckeyes are fourth in this week’s rankings, while the Spartans sit seventh.
Ohio State has not lost since a home loss to Oregon in the second week of the season. They have been as good as any team in the nation since then.
Michigan State fell against the Purdue “Spoilermakers”, a team Ohio State just had little trouble dispatching. Do they have enough to rise to the occasion at the Horseshoe?
Michigan State Spartans (9-1) vs Ohio State Buckeyes (9-1), ABC, 12:00 p.m. ET
Michigan State Spartans vs Ohio State Buckeyes College Football Betting Odds
Spread
- Michigan State Spartans +19.5 (-110)
- Ohio State Buckeyes -19.5 (-110)
Total
- OVER 69.5 (-110)
- UNDER 69.5 (-110)
Moneyline
- Michigan State Spartans +710
- Ohio State Buckeyes -1250
Michigan State Spartans vs Ohio State Buckeyes college football betting odds are via FanDuel Sportsbook as of Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. ET.
Michigan State Spartans vs Ohio State Buckeyes Best Bet
Over 69.5
Michigan State may be a top-ten team, has a big win over Michigan, and is led on offense by a potential Heisman winner in Kenneth Walker III. But that isn’t enough to garner much respect with oddsmakers.
To keep up with the Buckeyes, the Spartans will need to do what they do best on offense, which is run the ball. They also have to find a way to not get skewered through the air on defense. Their pass defense is one of the worst in college football and gave up 536 yards in their loss at Purdue.
The Spartans have minimal margin for error on either side of the ball, as Ohio State has arguably the best offense in the country in terms of production and talent. QB C.J. Stroud is the current Heisman favorite and is blessed with so many weapons to work with. The Buckeyes, however, are not up to their usual standards on defense, which is why Michigan State might be able to keep up. They also struggle against the pass, so even though the Spartans’ strength is the ground game, quarterback Payton Thorne may be airing it out early and often.
The over is the right play here. If this game is competitive, it is not going to be a 17-14 contest. Both of these teams should move the ball and score, putting pressure on the other to keep doing so. Ohio State won by 28 points last week but still gave up 31 points to Purdue. Look for them to be dominant against Michigan State even if the score is closer. Both teams are looking for style points in addition to a win, so the scores will keep on coming.
