Nine months ago, an early line showed Ohio State as a 6.5-point underdog to Michigan. On Sunday, though, the Buckeyes opened as nine-point favorites to beat the Wolverines in Ann Arbor, per Circa Sports.
If the line does not move drastically before kickoff, this could close as the smallest spread of the season for Ohio State, which has been the favorite by at least 14.5 points in all 11 games.
The Buckeyes haven't been favored by this many points since 2017, when they opened as a 13-point favorite over Michigan. Last year, they were 3.5-point home underdogs.
Ohio State holds an 8-3 record against the spread this season, though it hasn't covered it the past two games. The Buckeyes have a chance to simultaneously make their record against the spread 9-3 this weekend while also making Michigan's win-loss record 9-3.
The game on Saturday kicks off at noon and will be televised on FOX.
