Michigan State travels to Ohio State on Saturday in what should be the best game of the Big Ten season to date, with both teams ranked in the Top 10 and fighting for a College Football Playoff berth. Oddsmakers, however, see things differently: They’re predicting a blowout. Depending on where you shop, Ohio State is favored by 18.5 to 19.5 points. Should you grab the points with the Spartans, who are 7-2 ATS this season? Or should you roll with a Buckeyes team that has covered five of its last seven?
We’ll help you answer those questions in this Ohio State vs. Michigan State Betting Preview, which includes updated betting odds, a full action report, significant betting trends, and key historical data.
Game Info
- Date: Saturday, November 20, 2021
- Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio
- TV: ABC
- Weather: 46 degrees; 8 mph wind; 0% precipitation
Best Odds: Spread & Total
| Sportsbook | Spread | Total |
| FanDuel | OSU -19.5 (-110) | 68.5 (-114 / -106) |
| DraftKings | OSU -19 (-110) | 68.5 (-110 / -110) |
| BetMGM | OSU -18.5 (-110) | 68.5 (-105 / -115) |
| Caesars | OSU -19 (-110) | 68.5 (-110 / -110) |
| FoxBET | OSU -19 (-110) | 69 (+100 / -118) |
Odds updated 11 am ET on Thursday, Nov. 18.
Action Report: Public Leans Michigan State
UPDATE NOON ET THURSDAY: Ohio State shuffled around a bit early at DraftKings, going from -19.5 to -20, then dropping straight to -18.5, all by Sunday night. On Monday morning, the line stabilized at Buckeyes -19, where it remains now. Ticket count and money are both almost 4/1 on big underdog Michigan State. The total dipped from 68 to 66.5 by Monday morning, but has since rebounded to 68.5. Ticket count is 2/1 and money beyond 9/1 on the Over.
Editor’s Note: Check out the full version of Patrick Everson’s College Football Week 12 Action Report with additional betting insights on Oregon-Utah, Arkansas-Alabama, and more.
BetPrep Betting Trends
Michigan State Betting Trends
- The Spartans are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games overall.
- MSU is 5-1-1 ATS in its last seven conference games.
- Sparty is 4-1 ATS on the road this season.
Ohio State Betting Trends
- The Buckeyes are 5-2 ATS in their seven games overall, all as a favorite.
- The Over is 8-3-1 in Ohio State’s last 12 conference games.
- The Over is 8-2 in the Buckeyes’ last 10 November games.
Historical Betting Trends
This is only the second time that Ohio State and Michigan State have met with both teams ranked in the top seven of the AP Poll. The first time? Back in 1951. And they’ve clashed as Top 10 teams on just five occasions.
The Buckeyes have won five straight in this series, covering the last four in a row. The Under also has been profitable in recent meetings, cashing in five of the last six matchups overall and five straight in Columbus.
All betting trends via the BetPrep database.
Final Thoughts
— Who else is hopping on the Michigan State bandwagon? The Spartans have all the makings of a “public dog” while getting nearly three touchdowns in this matchup of Top 10 teams. If you like MSU, walk (click?) over to FanDuel Sportsbook, where Sparty is getting 19.5 points.
— On the other hand, Ohio State is playing its best football of the season and seemingly has enough playmakers all over the field to cover this big point spread. If you share that opinion, you can grab the best number on the Buckeyes (-18.5) at BetMGM, as signaled in the odds section above.
— Looking for a different way to bet on this game? Our College Football Props article discusses where (and why) to take Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud over 2.5 passing touchdowns.