Michigan Pregame Picks: Staff score predictions, tips against the spread and Eleven Warriors prop bets

We have a chance to stop a three-game* deficit against Michigan. Sherrone Moore’s Michigan Wolverines take on Ryan Day’s second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes at noon.

Day and his veteran-studded squad – including a group of seniors all too familiar with their recent losing streak – would like nothing more than to leave no doubt in this game. Even in the freezing temperatures, fans will be fuming for a convincing win at Ohio Stadium.

eet The seniors pic.twitter.com/8zuJw3mN30

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 30, 2024

Gaeday pic.twitter.com/krHPLVBYq8

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 30, 2024

THE DAY IS HERE pic.twitter.com/EsdIdoDFxD

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 30, 2024

It’s time for war.

That’s how the astute staff here at 11W view the 120th edition of the best rivalry in sports.

Outcome predictions

Andy Anders – Ohio State 38, Michigan 6: Ohio State starts slow as usual, but it only lasts about a quarter as the offense finds ways to move the ball against the Wolverines’ defensive front. Michigan’s offense fails to score a touchdown and the game quickly spirals out of control.

Chase Brown – Ohio State 38, Michigan 17: Ohio State gets back on track in the rivalry with a three-touchdown win in Columbus. The Buckeyes are tested at times – early rather than late – but win against the Wolverines through an aggressive ground attack and suffocating pressure from their front seven.

George Eisner – Ohio State 38, Michigan 13: Ideally, the Buckeyes get off to a fast start behind the incredible accuracy of Will Howard and the game immediately gets out of hand. More realistically, OSU intercepts Michigan’s best shots early before separating in convincing fashion in the third quarter and allowing Ryan Day to score a few more points late.

Jack Emerson – Ohio State 38, Michigan 6: Order is restored as the Buckeyes leave no room for doubt against the Wolverines and return to the Big Ten Championship.

Johnny Ginter – Ohio State 28, Michigan 13: I’d love to see a win, but honestly I’m just happy with Ohio State’s first win in The Game in what feels like forever.

Matt Gutridge – Ohio State 38, Michigan 10: Ryan Day and the Buckeyes are playing evenly against this team for the first time since 2019. Let’s leave it at that. Anyway, one more thing. Fuck Michigan.

Garrick Hodge – Ohio State 38, Michigan 10: Don’t expect Ohio State to show much mercy in this case. The Buckeyes will likely get off to their usual slow start, but will ultimately match up with their arch-rival and complete the three-game break.

Dan Hope – Ohio State 34, Michigan 14: Each of Ohio State’s last three games has followed the same pattern: start slow in the first quarter, take control of the game in the second quarter and pull away in the third quarter. I expect a similar script this week, with Michigan providing excitement early on before the Buckeyes dominate the second half.

Kyle Jones – Ohio State 35, Michigan 13: The visitors plan an effective opening attack, heavily targeting Colston Loveland and incorporating several trick plays, resulting in seven early points. However, OSU’s passing game tore apart Wink Martindale’s man-strength defense and dominated the final three quarters.

Chris Lauderback – Ohio State 30, Michigan 9: Aaaaaand we’ll drink to old Ohio until we shake in our shoes!

Ramzy Nasrallah – Ohio State 42, Michigan 0: They haven’t won an away game this season. Seventeen points in Washington. Seven in champagne. Fifteen in Bloomington. You don’t earn any points. You deserve pain.

Josh Poloha – Ohio State 38, Michigan 10: The Buckeyes finally get their revenge and take out their frustration on the Wolverines in breathtaking fashion.

Jason Priestas – Ohio State 30, Michigan 6: This game is going on longer than Ohio State fans – especially those still living in the Cooper era – would like, but the Buckeyes are playing with vigor and have too much on both ends for a fairly inadequate Michigan team.

Jordan Raines – Ohio State 34, Michigan 13: This game shouldn’t be treated like “any other game” – it’s the game. However, I think the result will be similar to what we’ve seen from the Buckeyes this season: a sluggish start in the first quarter, followed by dominance the rest of the way.

Will Ohio State cover?

The 10-1 Buckeyes have established themselves as 19.5 favorites over the 6-5 Wolverines after the line shifted from around 23 points in some books last Saturday. At 11W headquarters, 12 of 13 Buckeyes staffers are deployed to cover the colorful spread.

After predicting last week that Ohio State would win by 21 points against Indiana, Ramzy Nasrallah is once again more optimistic than anyone on the team, calling for a win by 42 points today. Johnny Ginter is the least confident about today’s action as he expects an OSU win by 15 points.

What about the over/under?

As kick-off gets closer, the overall score is only 42.5. Eleven employees have the over, with Chase scoring the most points with 55 total points, while only four employees; Jason, Chris, Johnny and Ramzy call for the Under to bat. But honestly, Just. Win. Baby.

Eleven Warriors Prop Bets

Although many states prohibit player betting at the college level, we have compiled a few below for you to have fun with. Leave us your predictions in the comments and either pat yourself on the chest or hide behind your grip later.

• How many passing yards will Will Howard have?

  • Over 249.5 (-105)

  • Below 249.5 (-125)

• How many passing yards does Michigan’s Davis Warren have?

  • Over 134.5 (-115)

  • Below 134.5 (-115)

• How many passing touchdowns will Will Howard throw?

  • Over 2 (+120)

  • Under 2 (-150)

• How many passing touchdowns will Davis Warren throw?

  • Over 0.5 (+105)

  • Below 0.5 (-135)

• Donovan Edwards any time TD
• Emeka Egbuka any time TD