A battle between two undefeated teams will occur in Columbus next weekend when Ohio State faces Michigan. The Buckeyes will be favored to win by more than a touchdown.
According to Nick Simon of DraftKings, Ohio State will likely open as a 7.5-point favorite in its matchup with Michigan when the initial spread of The Game is released.
On Saturday, the Wolverines squeaked past Illinois, 19-17, requiring a 35-yard field goal from Jake Moody with nine seconds remaining to down the Illini. Michigan was favored to win the matchup by 17.5 points.
Meanwhile, Ohio State struggled to put away Maryland, as the Terrapins stuck around for four quarters. The Buckeyes won the game, 43-30, with a late push in the final frame that included a Noah Ruggles field goal from 45-yards out and a defensive touchdown from Steele Chambers as a result of Zach Harrison's strip-sack. Ohio State entered the game as 27.5-point favorites against the Terps.
Ohio State and Michigan both enter The Game undefeated for the first time since 2006, when the Buckeyes defeated the Wolverines, 42-39, in what many consider "The Game of the Century." Next weekend, the matchup will have similar stakes, as the winner will claim the Big Ten East title, a trip to Indianapolis for the conference championship and favorable odds to reach the College Football Playoff.
After the Buckeyes' win over Maryland, head coach Ryan Day said Ohio State's coaches and players have offered everything this season to be where they are today, a perfect 11-0 ahead of what should be a top-three showdown with Michigan. Day believes his team will be ready for whatever their rival throw at them next weekend as the Buckeyes look to avenge a 42-27 loss to the Wolverines in Ann Arbor last season.
“There’s been a lot of hard work, a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get back to where we are right now," Day said in his postgame press conference. "Now, all the chips are in."
Ohio State and Michigan will kick off at noon in the Horseshoe next Saturday, with the game televised on FOX. ESPN's College GameDay and FOX's Big Noon Kickoff will also attend the matchup providing pregame festivities.
