Ohio State vs. Michigan State Total Pick
Can No. 10 Ohio State get itself back on track defensively when the Buckeyes hit the road to face No. 18 Michigan State on Saturday at Noon ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
219 Ohio State at 220 Michigan State
Saturday, November 10, 2018
Noon ET – Spartan Stadium
TV: FOX
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Ohio State is favored on the road, as the Buckeyes are getting odds of -3.5 points against Michigan State. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 52 points. The public betting for this game currently has 66 percent going on Ohio State on the road. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Football Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Buckeyes looking lost
Despite a win last week, Ohio State struggled once again, picking up a 36-31 win at home against Nebraska. The Buckeyes are now 8-1 overall, 5-1 in the Big Ten, 3-6 against the spread and 5-4 with the under. They have hit the over in two of three road games this season.
Ohio State still is putting up a lot of numbers on offense this year, averaging 42.2 points and 547.2 yards per game this season. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins has thrown for 3,053 yards and 32 touchdowns with six interceptions. Parris Campbell has caught eight of those touchdowns and has 56 catches for 631 yards. J.K. Dobbins is the leading rusher with 684 yards and seven touchdowns. Defensively, Ohio State is giving up an average of 23.8 points and 397.3 yards per game. Their run defense is giving up over 150 yards per game.
Spartans grinding out wins
Despite an average offense, Michigan State has put together back-to-back wins over Purdue and Maryland the last two weeks to get to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten. MSU is also 4-5 against the spread and 5-4 with the under. The Spartans have hit the under in four straight games.
Michigan State has been relying a lot on its defense this season, as the Spartans are giving up just 19 points and 325.1 yards per game. Their run defense is holding opponents to 71.7 yards per game. Offensively, MSU is putting up just 23.4 points and 360.3 yards per game. Quarterback Brian Lewerke has thrown for 1,740 yards and eight touchdowns with eight interceptions. He is dealing with a shoulder injury that has him questionable this week. He played against Maryland a week after sitting out against Purdue. Rock Lombardi looked good in his absence, throwing for 327 yards with a pair of scores this year. The team got receiver Cody White back last week as well, helping make up for the season-ending injury to Felton Davis. White has 320 yards and two scores this year. Connor Heyward is the leading rusher with 358 yards and five touchdowns.
College Football Betting Trends
Ohio State
Ohio State has hit the over in seven of its last nine road games and in seven of its last 10 games in November.
Michigan State
Michigan State has hit the under in four straight against winning teams and in its last four conference games.
Prediction:
Michigan State’s defense has done a good job of rising up to its competition in recent weeks. It held Michigan to 21 points, Penn State to 17 and Purdue to 13. Given how Ohio State has looked in recent week’s there is no guarantee that the Spartans won’t be able to do the same to the Buckeyes on their home field this weekend. MSU’s offense just isn’t talented enough to capitalize on Ohio State’s struggling defense, so this game is likely to be another grind for MSU. I like the under to hit in this one.
College Football Prediction: Ohio State/Michigan State Under 52