Can Ohio State beat Michigan? Predicting the best possible result for Ryan Day against Sherrone Moore

Ohio State and Michigan are set to face off in one of college football’s most notable rivalries this Saturday at the Horseshoe popularly known as 'The Game.' Both teams are coming off solid wins in their last matchup, but their seasons have followed different paths.

Ohio State enters the upcoming game after a 38-15 victory over a top-five Indiana team, solidifying their position as a Big Ten title contender. With just one loss this season, to the No. 1 Oregon Ducks, the Buckeyes are vying for a conference championship and a potential playoff spot.

The Wolverines, now 6-5, who showcased their first complete performance of the year in a 50-6 rout of Northwestern, have not been consistent this season. They have a 4-4 record in Big Ten play and rankings of 128th nationally in passing and 104th in scoring.

Can Ohio State beat Michigan?

Indeed, Ohio State, coming fresh off a 38-15 victory over Indiana, enters the game in solid form. Quarterback Will Howard has been the key player, completing 85% of his passes against the Hoosiers and scoring three total touchdowns.

Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has emerged as a reliable target, and TreVeyon Henderson adds another dimension to the Buckeyes’ offense.

Defensively, Ohio State delivered one of its best performances of the season, holding Indiana to just 151 total yards and sacking their quarterback five times. Cody Simon led the charge with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble, showcasing the dominance of Jim Knowles' defensive schemes.

Michigan’s offense finally came to set as the Wolverines tallied 201 rushing yards and 195 passing yards against Northwestern. Three seniors contributed five rushing touchdowns in their final home game.

Kalel Mullings led the way with three touchdowns, while Donovan Edwards capped his career at Michigan Stadium with a highlight-reel 20-yard score.

The passing game also showed improvement in the recent games, with Davis Warren completing 26 of 35 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown, despite throwing his first interception in weeks.

Tight end Colston Loveland set a program record for single-season receptions by a tight end, and Tyler Morris recorded his best performance in three years with seven catches for 64 yards.

However, Michigan’s offense has seen a struggle this season, failing to score more than 30 points in any game. This poses questions about their ability to keep pace with Ohio State’s attack.

Who is favored to win the Ohio State vs. Michigan game?

Ohio State is favored to win against Michigan, with FanDuel Sportsbook setting a 20.5-point spread in Ohio State's favor. The total points for the game are set at 43.5, with odds slightly favoring the under (-115) compared to the over (-105).

The moneyline odds strongly back Ohio State at -2500, while Michigan stands as a longshot at +1100.

According to the College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter, the spread is slightly narrower at 17.5 points in favor of Ohio State. Their moneyline odds there are -1800 for Ohio State and +1000 for Michigan. The over/under for points in this analysis is set at 44.5.

How many National Championships does Ohio State have?

The Buckeyes have won eight national championships since their football program began in 1890. Their first title came in 1942, and they remain one of the most successful programs in college football history.

How many National Championships does Michigan have?

Michigan claims 11 national titles, with the NCAA officially recognizing nine of them. The Wolverines secured their most recent title in 2023 with a dominant undefeated season, marking their first outright championship since 1948.

Their 10th championship broke a tie with USC, solidifying their place among college football’s elite programs.