Ohio State vs Michigan Odds 2023

The Ohio State vs Michigan football odds for 2023 feature the Wolverines as favorites by 3.5 points. Both Ohio State and Michigan enter this rivalry game undefeated before playing in Ann Arbor with Big 10 Title and College Football Playoff hopes. Bookies.com recommends using any of the big sportsbooks like FanDuel, Caesars, DraftKings, BetMGM, and others to bet on Ohio State vs Michigan football odds.

Home-field and conference championship implications are the two biggest keys in betting on “The Game,” the annual battle featuring Michigan and Ohio State and the premier rivalry in the Big Ten.

While home-field advantage has historically mattered in this huge college football rivalry, where the game is played has recently had less bearing on the outcome.

Separating the pomp and circumstance from what an ESPN poll called “The Greatest American Sports Rivalry” in 2000 for the reality of the game’s consequences is vital advice in wagering.

Take the 1996 season, which was mediocre for Michigan (8-4 overall and tied for fifth place in the *Pig Ten). As a 17-point underdog, the Wolverines went on the road and dumped previously unbeaten and second-ranked Ohio State, 13-9. Brian Griese came off the bench to guide Michigan’s second-half comeback from a 9-0 deficit, and Michigan’s defense did the rest to leave a jam-packed Horseshoe crowd stunned.

Michigan vs Ohio State History

Michigan vs. Ohio State is referred to as “The Game” around the college football world. What began in 1897 evolved into an annual series between the two universities from bordering states.

The series generated national attention beginning in the 1970s through the 2000s as it regularly determined the Big Ten Conference championship and in many years the eventual national champion.

Great Michigan-Ohio State Games

Only one edition of “The Game” was referred to as “The Game of the Century,” and it came in 2006. Both teams were 11-0 entering the content with Ohio State ranked No. 1 in the country and Michigan right behind. The winner would advance to the then BCS National Championship. The two teams went back and forth all afternoon until the Buckeyes finally eked out a 42-39 victory.

Five years later in a similarly played affair it was Michigan prevailing in a 40-34 shootout. While the stakes didn’t carry any championship implications as other meetings, the win was especially sweet for the team from “Up North,” as Michigan stepped on the throat of an Ohio State team that staggered to a 6-6 record. However it was the last time the Buckeyes lost in the series.

Infamous Michigan-Ohio State Moments

Ask any longtime fan of either team about the infamous 10-10 tie in the 1973 edition of “The Game” and you will to this day get a sour look. Despite Ohio State showing offensive firepower behind then sophomore star back Archie Griffin, neither team could find the end zone with any regularity.

Two missed field goals of 58 and 43 yards by kicker Mike Lantry in the last minute of play denied Michigan a victory. Both teams were on top of the standings after the standoff with a vote handing Ohio State the conference championship and subsequent trip to the Rose Bowl.

Desmond Howard put an exclamation mark on a 31-3 Michigan win in 1991 and started a trend in the process. After Howard returned a punt for 93 yards and a touchdown, he struck a Heisman Trophy pose in the end zone. He later that year would receive the real thing much to the chagrin of Buckeyes fans.

Notable Players

There enough villains on each side of this rivalry that inflicted pain on their opponents to fill up several volumes. Woodson’s name no doubt brings shivers to Buckeyes fans with memories of his impact during the late 1990s era of “The Game.”

Woodson’s play on both sides of the ball was especially on display in 1997 when he caught a 37-yard touchdown pass and returned a punt for 78 yards while also picking off an interception to help the Wolverines to a 20-14 victory.

There’s no love lost on Ohio State’s Griffin, who as a sophomore in that 1973 101-10 tie ran for 165 yards on 30 carries with 99 coming in the first half alone. Griffin went on to become a two-time Heisman Trophy winner and in 1975 helped Ohio State cap a perfect 11-0 regular season with 21-14 win over Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Michigan vs Ohio State FAQs

• What is Michigan-Ohio State All-Time record?
  Michigan holds a 60-51-6 advantage over Ohio State entering the 2023 season.
• When Do Michigan and Ohio State Play Next?
  Michigan and Ohio State next meet November 25, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
• When Did Michigan and Ohio State Last Play?
  Michigan and Ohio State last played November 26, 2022, with Michigan winning 45-23.
• Who is favored to win Michigan vs Ohio State 2022?
  Michigan is a -3.5 point favorite over Ohio State
• When Did Michigan and Ohio State First Play?
  The first meeting between Michigan and Ohio State happened on October 16, 1897.
• Who Won the First Meeting Between Michigan and Ohio State?
  Michigan won the first-ever meeting between the teams by a score of 34-0.