Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines – College Football Preview for The Game 2013

It’s Rivalry Week in college football, which means it’s once again time to play The Game.

The Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines will go into their annual clash with contrasting fortunes, which could make for a feistier contest this time around.

The #3 Buckeyes still have the Big 10 Championship Game and a possible trip to the Rose Bowl to look forward to, but they would be foolish to look too far ahead. Meanwhile, the Wolverines can salvage a lost season with a win over their bitter rivals.

Bet on College Football: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines

Game Details:

When: November 30, 2013, 12:00 PM ET

Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Odds:

*As of November 25.

Money: Ohio State (TBA) vs. Michigan (TBA)

Spread: Ohio State (-15) vs. Michigan (+15)

Totals: TBA

Betting on the Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes will enter The Game on the strength of a 23-game unbeaten run. The Buckeyes have not lost under head coach Urban Meyer, who looks poised to lead the school to its first back-to-back perfect seasons since John Wilce in 1916-17.

After missing a couple of games early in the year due to injury, quarterback Braxton Miller has put up an impressive junior season (67.7 completion percentage, 19 TDs and just 4 INTs) which has made him a dark horse for this year’s Heisman Trophy. [sc:NCAA240banner ]

However, the bread and butter of the third most potent offense in all the FBS (48.7 points/game) is still the running game (314.7 yards/game, 5th in FBS). Led by senior back Carlos Hyde, the Buckeyes’ rushing attack has topped 400 yards and 5 TDs in two of its last four games.

The defense hasn’t been too shabby either. The Buckeyes D is eighth in points allowed at just 18.4 points/game, including a shutout at Purdue earlier this month. And in their last game against Indiana, star linebacker Ryan Shazier made a career high 20 tackles en route to a 42-14 victory.

Can the Buckeyes cap off another unbeaten regular season? Bet now on the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Betting on the Michigan Wolverines

The Michigan Wolverines will wrap up a disappointing 2013 season that started with much promise. After beginning the season 5-0, which included a big win over Notre Dame, the Wolverines have been in disarray.

Michigan suffered close losses at Penn State and Nebraska, with a 29-6 stuffing at Michigan State in between. They also needed 3 overtimes to defeat Northwestern, who are winless in the conference.

The Wolverines squandered a 14-point lead against Iowa last week as the offense was shut out in the second half. Quarterback Devin Gardner had a poor game (13/28, 98 yards), while the entire team could only must 60 yards on the ground.
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The Michigan running game (128.8 yards/game, 100th in FBS) has struggled all season; in back-to-back weeks against Michigan State and Nebraska, the Wolverines “ran” for negative yards in both games for a total of -69 yards.

The defense did well to grab 3 interceptions off Iowa’s Jake Rudock, but they still surrendered 407 yards of total offense, 168 of which came on the ground.

Will the Wolverines hand Urban Meyer his first loss in Columbus? Bet now on the Michigan Wolverines.

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