Michigan opens as -5.5 point favorite for The Game
https://www.thescore.com/ncaaf/events/132888/box_score
saw it on the Score first, genuine question though: when was the last time we were favored in this game? I’m 24 and pretty much only remember Vegas expecting us to lose. Feels good to be on the other side!
GO BLUE BEAT OHIO
November 19th, 2023 at 9:01 AM ^
Favored in 2018
November 19th, 2023 at 9:08 AM ^
Out of my nine straight trips to Columbus, 2018 was the only time I left early. Really hoping the boys get a win as the favorite this Saturday.
November 19th, 2023 at 9:09 AM ^
That was the game that truly broke me. Fortunately 2021 was not too far away.
November 19th, 2023 at 9:29 AM ^
I felt the same way after that game. In 2018 there was no spot controversy, no having to deal with a third string QB so we were at an obvious disadvantage. That was just “Michigan got a thorough ass kicking and there was nothing anyone could do about it.”
But given how awful OSU looked on defense that whole year, and then they all of a sudden became world beaters and just made Michigan look like a bunch of chumps….I was convinced Michigan was not going to beat OSU again for a long, long time, and that it didn’t matter who our coach was.
November 19th, 2023 at 10:10 AM ^
Yep.
What's also sort of crazy is it has since come out that OSU had Brown's signs in that game (and likely had the offense's as well given how one-off that defensive performance was) and nobody has really freaked out about it because that's just part of the game. Now OSU fans are claiming the past 2 years were only because of Stalions.
Anyway, just part of being a fan but that was probably the nadir of my faith in this team.
November 19th, 2023 at 10:53 AM ^
Just what I was going to write, +1000. Those crossing routes didn’t appear out of nowhere. To be fair, Indiana somewhat exposed us to be vulnerable to that the week before. I was at that game, we won, but it was annoying as hell.
November 19th, 2023 at 1:22 PM ^
Maryland exposed our linebackers in pass plays yesterday as well several times.
November 19th, 2023 at 2:23 PM ^
To be fair, Indiana somewhat exposed us to be vulnerable to that the week before.
OSU exposed it themselves the year before, with a redshirt freshman backup QB getting his first meaningful snaps no less. I guess it sort of makes sense in 2017, he wasn't expecting JT Barrett to get hurt. But Brown rolling with the same gameplan in 2018 that Haskins came in and torched the year before was damn near criminal negligence...
November 19th, 2023 at 10:55 AM ^
Thorazine might help.
November 19th, 2023 at 11:12 AM ^
Because according to Buckeye Logic, grainy iPhone videos taken 20 rows up in the stands are far more potent than TV closeups. They confer mystical advantages that cause the opposing team to be soft as a grape.
November 19th, 2023 at 11:41 AM ^
I remember Winovich saying that it seemed they had an answer for everything we tried. Maybe that was why
November 19th, 2023 at 12:03 PM ^
Perkis, your second paragraph perfectly sums up my thinking after that game as well. Glad it all changed.
November 19th, 2023 at 10:04 AM ^
Nine straight trips to Columbus. So I am counting 2004-2022, less 2020, and the ninth time was a charm.
There should be a hero's plaque for you somewhere outside Michigan Stadium for your service abroad.
November 19th, 2023 at 10:08 AM ^
You face that many Orcs you should be anointed King of Aragorn!
November 19th, 2023 at 10:07 AM ^
That’s impressive. I’ve only been once, in 2012. When they lifted Tressel up on their shoulders at the end of Q3 and the stadium was roaring, I half expected to see Leni Riefenstahl filming the spectacle from field level for a reboot of Triumph des Willens.
November 19th, 2023 at 10:27 AM ^
Solid, solid take right there.
In the words of Spencer Hall “fascists in sweatshirts”
November 19th, 2023 at 11:04 AM ^
Not only were they favored, but I believe everyone on gameday picked Michigan, including Herbie.
November 19th, 2023 at 9:04 AM ^
Fanduel -5.5
Caesar's -6.5
Draftkings -6
BetRivers -6
MGM -1.5 ?
November 19th, 2023 at 9:32 AM ^
Well someone hammered that number then, because it's currently -4 on DK and -3.5 on FD.
November 19th, 2023 at 11:09 AM ^
I usually go with Michigan on DK every week, and yesterday hurt to say the least.
I don't know if I want to put anything down on this game or not because the game will be stressful enough to watch. Adding betting interest makes it difficult.
November 19th, 2023 at 11:43 AM ^
You could try the emotional hedge insurance play. Sign up for a new book that has a free bet offer, put it on OSU moneyline. If M wins we are all delirious plus you don't lose any money. If not, treat yourself to a nice weekend, or cover all your Xmas gifts, or hire a PI firm to sniff around Columbus
November 19th, 2023 at 10:28 AM ^
I am only seeing Fanduel & betrivers -3.5 and DK -4 on the actual betting apps. The 5.5 and 6 was before yesterday, those numbers have been pulled from what I can tell. Keep in mind these aggregator sites do not update quickly, many stale lines. The OP should probably be amended. Expect the other books will have something by 2pm.
November 19th, 2023 at 11:20 AM ^
These people know something about this and think Michigan is better even without it's fabulous Head Coach on the sidelines.
November 19th, 2023 at 11:44 AM ^
I'm seeing 3.5 to 4.0 on most right now...... basically the home field advantage which means the crowd needs to be LOUD on Saturday
November 19th, 2023 at 8:10 PM ^
MGM, FD -3.5 (FD is -115, MGM is -110 so slightly more favorable)
DK -4
November 19th, 2023 at 9:04 AM ^
2018
):
Michigan is a 4.5-point road favorite in Columbus at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. This stands to be the first time that the Buckeyes have been a home underdog since 2011, and just the team’s fifth instance as one since 2001.
November 19th, 2023 at 9:08 AM ^
I didnt understand that spread at the time. I guess Vegas like our 10 straight wins? OSU losing big to Purdue?
November 19th, 2023 at 9:12 AM ^
We were playing well and OSU came into the game with being blown out by Purdue, a five point win over Nebraska, a mere 26-6 win over Sparty, and the 1 point win at Maryland.
I remember Brian thinking we matched up well for some reason.
November 19th, 2023 at 9:21 AM ^
IIRC, 2018 was the first year OSU transitioned from their power run spread (aka Tebow) offense to the NFL-caliber passing spread they run today.
Nobody had any idea how ill-equipped Don Brown’s defense would be against the latter, especially after the success it had against the former.
November 19th, 2023 at 9:53 AM ^
Especially after Bush was injured, and Chase in the previous game.
November 19th, 2023 at 10:13 AM ^
I remember OSU's year quite well, because that was the year I had the most confidence in Michigan winning. That game was when we all understood Don Brown had to go. I hope Haskins (RIP) thanked Brown for getting him back into 1st round consideration, because he looked terrible in a few of their games in the back half of the season.
November 19th, 2023 at 10:36 AM ^
Yeah I remember the mgo podcast was pretty confident going into that one, OSU looked pretty dysfunctional all year. I recall someone on the podcast saying they were going to the game because "I want to see us win in Columbus."
November 19th, 2023 at 11:55 AM ^
That game was winnable for Michigan. 4 dropped passes and a blocked punt made OSU look better than they were. Tip of the hat to OSU but Michigan laid an egg on offense.
November 19th, 2023 at 10:10 AM ^
Watching the Indiana game the week before, I remember thinking, “boy we better get that crossing route vulnerability addressed before next weekend.”
Guess I should’ve told Don Brown
November 19th, 2023 at 11:59 AM ^
No shit. Totally exposed the week before and no adjustment. Once upon a time DB was known for running traps on defense.
November 19th, 2023 at 11:10 AM ^
They clearly did not factor Don Brown in that line.
November 19th, 2023 at 9:08 AM ^
I'm surprised its that high. OSU seems to be peaking at the right time and M peaked a few weeks ago. Gee I wonder what happened? At this point I'd give M the advantage for whatever home field is worth but that's about it.
Also kind of sucks that we've returned to form where we start piling up the injuries in the weeks preceeding the game. Hopefully nothing is too serious. Really need to have a fully weaponized JJ and I hope Roman's deal is truly precautionary and nothing more.
November 19th, 2023 at 9:15 AM ^
Playing MSU and Minnesota helps.
November 19th, 2023 at 9:38 AM ^
Yes, this is the right take. OSU struggled with Maryland and Penn State at least as we did, and probably more considering both of those games were at home for OSU and away for us (not that the Maryland crowd was hostile).
They played the easy part of their schedule the last 2 weeks - a part of Michigan's schedule that was also VERY easy for us.
November 19th, 2023 at 10:59 AM ^
We beat Minnesota and MSU by a combined score of 101-10, and that was on the road. OSU played both in Columbus.
November 19th, 2023 at 9:43 AM ^
Both at home with opponents limping toward the end of the season vs our road games against two opponents convinced they had this team on the ropes without the HC.
November 19th, 2023 at 11:04 AM ^
And in both cases we got massive coaching news not long before the game.
Against PSU, we didn't know for sure who our head coach would be until about two hours before the game.
Against Maryland, the team found out only on Thursday that Harbaugh's suspension would continue - and then Friday they learned Partridge was fired.
This week, we know from the get-go who is coaching on Saturday.
November 19th, 2023 at 11:15 AM ^
Hopefully….
November 19th, 2023 at 9:53 AM ^
Having their best RB is also helping them. Ryan Day is going to run the ball because he's 'Tough' as shit.
Hard to say with PSU, as it was a gameplan, but the offense looked incredibly clunky yesterday. Watching Barnhart get dusted by Maryland DE's isn't comforting. The D gave us 9 points and two more INTs and special teams contributed 2 points, and we still squeaked by. Having said that, I can remember 2018 when Maryland had OSU beaten, OSU, scraped to get to OT and pulled it out, and we were all overconfident. So, the game before doesn't mean that much. We also looked like a steaming dog turd last year against Illinois, lost our best player, and still killed them. So, there's reason for optimism.
November 19th, 2023 at 11:19 AM ^
It you would have told me before the Maryland game that Michigan would force 3 turnover and get 2 safeties, and still only win by 7 I'd have said youre nuts.
That game was a typical weird final season game before osu that we've seen a few times now.
Getting out of there with a 7 point, we'll take it. Scrap the tape and lock in this week.
November 19th, 2023 at 11:41 AM ^
Is it possible they bench Barnhart for Jones/Hilton? He’s a huge liability right now.
November 19th, 2023 at 10:23 AM ^
They do the hard part first, we do it last.
November 19th, 2023 at 9:21 AM ^
Before the game yesterday people were talking about how amazing it was that the team had so few injuries. Kind of like saying a kicker has hit 37 straight extra point attempts just before he shanks one wide right.
November 19th, 2023 at 11:24 AM ^
Right. Osu is dinged up a bit too, but they didn't have hard fought games the past 2 weeks either.
We need JJ as close to 100% as possible but at least Corum and Edwards are healthy that we know of. They're going to be running the ball a lot to that OL has to be in bulldozer mode.
Hopefully the crowd and defense will keep Mccord uncomfortable all game.
November 19th, 2023 at 4:02 PM ^
Oh really? Because the media narrative is that they’re now peaking because of their blowouts the last 2 weeks (both less of a blowout than UM with the same opponent l, but that’s narrative destroying). Three weeks ago Rutgers had them on the ropes, but now they’re peaking because they pummeled MSU and Minny. What did you say? They were only up 13-0 over Minny at half? Quiet. Henderson is back and is the greatest running back in American history. Did you hear about JTT and did you realize that Maryland gave Michigan a game so Michigan sucks. What? Maryland was leading OSU for more of the game than they were trailing. Well, have you listened to expert Paul Finebum, who says that the Michigan football team doesn’t actually exist?