Ohio State enters The Game as a massive 30-point favorite over Michigan.
It's the largest betting line for an Ohio State vs. Michigan game in modern history and the largest spread the Wolverines have faced in any game against any opponent going back to at least 1978.
| DATE | AWAY | SPREAD |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 21, 2019 | MIAMI (OH) | -38.5 |
| Sep 3, 2016 | BOWLING GREEN | -27.5 |
| Sep 26, 2015 | WESTERN MICHIGAN | -33.5 |
| Sep 19, 2015 | NORTHERN ILLINOIS | -34.0 |
| Sep 13, 2014 | KENT STATE | -31.0 |
| Aug 31, 2013 | BUFFALO | -33.5 |
| Sep 1, 2012 | MIAMI (OH) | -25.5 |
| Sep 10, 2011 | TOLEDO | -17.5 |
| Sep 3, 2011 | AKRON | -33.5 |
It's an eye-popping number, and it's even more ridiculous when it's put into the context of similar spreads Ohio State's faced in recent years. Specifically, against the Mid-American Conference.
Over the last 10 years, the Buckeyes have played nine games against MAC opponents. In those games, Ohio State has been favored by an average of 30.5 points, which is nearly identical to the 30-point spread the Buckeyes face against the Wolverines this weekend.
Ohio State has been favored by at least 30 points against Big Ten opponents 14 times over the last 10 years – four times against Maryland, three times against Rutgers, twice against Illinois and Indiana and once against Purdue and Minnesota.
So if you're wondering how Vegas perceives this year's iteration of The Game, think of the average Ohio State game against the MAC, or the Buckeyes' easiest conference game of the year and that will get you somewhere in the ballpark.
This is the state of the rivalry.
