Week 13 Big Ten Football Odds: Ohio State Solid Favorites

This is the NCAAF matchup people have been waiting for all season, as No. 3 Michigan visits No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday. The Week 13 Big Ten football odds show Ohio State as 8-point favorites and the total is 57.5.

The Big Ten Conference has been a case of the “haves” and “have nots” this season. Eight teams are already bowl eligible. Indiana, Rutgers, Northwestern and Nebraska are not. Michigan State is the only team whose bowl future will be determined this weekend.

Game of the Week

It’s no surprise to see the Buckeyes favored in this week’s Big Ten football odds. Ohio State (11-0, 8-0) has the better team and are at home. The Sagarin college football rankings have Ohio State 5.86 points better than Michigan (11-0, 8-0) on a neutral field. The line is pretty much where it should be and this is a tough one to make one of your NCAAF picks against the spread.

The Wolverines come into this one off a scare against Illinois. It’s hard to hold that against them too much, as it was an obvious look-ahead spot. But those things can’t happen when you’re fighting for a playoff berth.

The two teams are a bit similar offensively. The Wolverines are averaging 452.6 total yards per game and the Buckeyes are averaging 492.7. Michigan has scored 76 times this season, while Ohio State has scored 80 times. The difference here is that the Buckeyes have 68 TDs and 12 field goals. Michigan has 51 touchdowns and 25 field goals. That’s why Ohio State is averaging 46.5 points per game and the Wolverines are scoring 39.4.

Michigan likes to run the ball a bit more, gaining 243.8 yards per game, against Ohio State’s 203.5. But both teams average 5.5 yards per rush. The Buckeyes get the nod in the passing department, throwing for 289.2 yards compared to Michigan’s 208.8, which is 10th in the conference.

Defensively, Michigan has allowed just 15 touchdowns and 8 field goals all season, surrendering 11.7 points per game. The Buckeyes allow 16.9 points per game after allowing 22 TDs and 10 field goals during the year. The Wolverines allow 241.3 total yards per game and the Buckeyes allow 283.4.

Both teams are strong against the rush, with Michigan allowing 2.8 yards per carry and Ohio State allowing 3.1 yards per rush. The Wolverines also get a slight edge in passing defense, allowing 5.3 yards per pass compared to Ohio State’s 6.4 yards.

This one will come down to big plays, turnovers and teams taking advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.

Other Games to Watch

The Big Ten football odds have Penn State (9-2, 6-2) favored by 18 over Michigan State (5-6, 3-5) with a total of 54.5. The Spartans are a better NCAAF team than others who will be playing in a bowl game. But right now, MSU is on the outside looking in. Going into Happy Valley and beating a Penn State team that has lost only to Michigan and Ohio State won’t be easy. The Spartans are playing better, winning three of their last four, knocking off bowl-bound Wisconsin and Illinois in the process.

Penn State has flown under the radar this season but they’re a solid team. A win here would give the Nittany Lions 10 wins on the season, which looks more impressive to bowl committees. Penn State should land one of the marquee bowl berths provided it wins here. Penn State has the advantage on both sides of the ball.

The Big Ten football odds show Wisconsin (6-5, 4-4) as 3-point favorites over Minnesota (7-4, 4-4) and the total is 34.5. This should be a good game between two bowl-bound schools playing to improve their postseason positions. The Gophers have a decent edge defensively, while both teams score a bit more than the total reflects. Minnesota is scoring 28.7 points per game and Wisconsin scores 27.5.

Both teams have been scoring touchdowns instead of kicking field goals. Minnesota has 40 TDs and 12 field goals. The Badgers have 40 TDs and 8 field goals. Whichever team can continue that trend should get the win here.

The Big Ten football odds have Iowa (7-4, 5-3) favored by 10.5 over Nebraska (3-8, 2-6) in this Black Friday contest. This is a huge game for the Hawkeyes, who can clinch the Big Ten West with a victory. That will give Iowa the right to be beaten by Ohio State or Michigan in the Big Ten Championship Game.

The Hawkeyes have won and covered four straight games.

The Huskers gave another good effort last week but came up short in a 15-14 loss to the Badgers. Whether they come to play or just pack it in against a motivated Iowa team is the big question. The Hawkeyes have won and covered four straight games.

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