There’s a logjam at the top of the Big Ten East division. The Ohio State Buckeyes, Michigan Wolverines, and Michigan State Spartans — three programs within a game of one other with key games during the final two weeks of the regular season — will decide who gets a banner.
The No. 7-ranked Spartans (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Wolverines (9-1, 6-1) and find themselves one game back of No. 5 Ohio State (9-1, 7-0). Saturday, MSU has its chance to vault into first place with a win in Columbus. The atmosphere will be crazier with ESPN’s College Gameday crew on site for the game, which kicks off a little after noon ET.
Here are the betting odds for Saturday’s game at Ohio Stadium.
Michigan State Vs. Ohio State Betting Odds
| Sportsbook | Point spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | Spartans +19.0 (-110) Buckeyes -19.0 (-110) |
Spartans +650 Buckeyes -1000 |
Over 66.5 (-110) Under 66.5 (-110) |
| BetMGM | Spartans +19.0 (-110) Buckeyes -19.0 (-110) |
Spartans +725 Buckeyes -1200 |
Over 66.5 (-110) Under 66.5 (-110) |
| Caesars | Spartans +19.0 (-110) Buckeyes -19.0 (-110) |
Spartans +700 Buckeyes -1100 |
Over 66.5 (-110) Under 66.5 (-110) |
| BetRivers | Spartans +20 (-109) Buckeyes -20 (-112) |
Spartans +600 Buckeyes -1000 |
Over 66.5 (-110) Under 66.5 (-110) |
Also Read: BetMGM Michigan offering additional free $50 bet to new users
MSU Has Score To Settle With Buckeyes
Last week, the Spartans brushed aside the Maryland Terrapins and set up a battle with Ohio State for first place in their side of the Big 10. But the task is a tall one.
The Spartans haven’t beaten OSU since 2015. In their last five meetings with the Buckeyes, the Spartans have been outscored 177-47. Ouch. On the other hand, each of the last two times the Spartans have won the Big 10 conference title, they beat Ohio State to accomplish it.
Can the Spartans defeat Ohio State at the Horseshoe? As NCAA.com writer Stan Becton pointed out after the Buckeyes’ week 2 loss at home to Oregon, the strategy on defense to stymie OSU is “bend-but-don’t-break.” The Spartans will need to defend deep and try to limit passes to the sidelines while fighting up front to handle the Buckeye ground attack. Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud can get out of the pocket fast and gain yards with his feet. The Spartan linebackers need to anticipate his jaunts.
Also Read: Michigan vs. Maryland betting odds and analysis
Ohio State Too Explosive for Spartans
The Buckeyes have scored at least 40 points in seven games this season, and 50 or more in five. Their offense is versatile — ground or air, lethal. MSU coach Mel Tucker, who will probably soon be on a different campus coaching another team, will have the Spartans ready, but the Buckeyes will likely pull away in the fourth quarter for an easy victory. The Spartans have a good chance to cover that spread as long as it stays near 19.
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