Ohio State opens as 7.5-point favorite at home vs. Michigan in The Game

For the second time this century, and undefeated Ohio State team hosts an undefeated Michigan team on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in The Game — the first being the AP No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in 2006. The Buckeyes took the victory in that edition, 42-39, over the Wolverines.

Ohio State is expected to win the latest installment, too, with VegasInsider favoring the Buckeyes over Michigan with an opening line of 7.5 points. The Game is in Columbus this year which certainly plays to Ohio State’s favor, though they’d likely be slight favorites over Michigan on a neutral field.

The stakes, beyond beating a bitter rival, are winning the Big Ten East and getting a step closer to a surefire College Football Playoff bid. And with a pair of 11-0 squads it’s mostly picking nits at this point, but there are still questions to be answered by both teams — albeit to differing degrees.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

A shorthanded Michigan team struggled against Illinois in its penultimate regular-season game. The Wolverines trailed for most of the second half until winning, 19-17, on the back of four second half field goals from reigning Lou Groza winner Jake Moody.

The Wolverines were missing a bevy of key players on offense — left guard Trevor Keegan, backup running back Donovan Edwards, tight end Luke Schoonmaker and wide receiver and primary punt returner AJ Henning — plus edge defender Mike Morris. And that was before star running back Blake Corum missed the end of the first half and a majority of the second half with a knee injury.

Getting healthy will be key for Michigan before traveling to Columbus, Corum in particular.

It will also be key for Ohio State. The Buckeyes trailed at the half against Maryland before taking a quick second half lead that the Terrapins fought mightily to overcome. But Ohio State managed to keep the upset-minded hosts at arms length, winning 43-30.

Star wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba missed the game against the Terrapins and has only played one half since getting injured in the season opener. Running back Miyan Williams also sat out, though the emergence of true freshman Dallan Hayden was a welcome boost.

And with CJ Stroud throwing to Marvin Harrison Jr. and an array of other options, still, Vegas likes the Buckeyes to get to 12-0 and win the Big Ten East.