This is a 10* BLOCKBUSTER on Ohio State.

After a perfect season a year ago which culminated in a College Football Playoff Championship, the Buckeyes finally suffered a setback last week. With the pressure of being undefeated now off their shoulders, we like the defending champs to bounce back in convincing style this afternoon. If history is any precedence, then Ohio State has to be liking its chances today, it's 4-1 SU/ATS in its last five visits to Michigan Stadium for "The Game." The Buckeyes fell apart down the stretch vs. Michigan State last week, but note that they're 12-0 SU after an ATS loss, as well as 10-3 ATS in their last 13 following a setback. Obviously it's not going to be a cake-walk, Michigan allows the second-fewest yards in the FBS, but the Wolverines come in having already exceeded expectations to this point at 9-2 in Jim Harbaugh's first season as head coach. QB Jake Ruddock has been as solid as Michigan could possibly ask for, but he now faces one of the better defenses that he's seen this season. These teams are indeed very evenly matched on both sides of the ball and each is under the direction of a future hall of fame coach, but the difference is in the strong ATS trends listed above, and here: Note that Ohio State is 4-0 ATS its last four as an underdog and 9-5 ATS in its last 14 on the road, while Michigan is 4-7 ATS in its last 11 off a win vs. a conference rival and 5-6 ATS after two or more consecutive SU victories. We're backing OHIO STATE in this one.

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