Michigan State vs. Ohio State 2021 College Football Week 12 Odds, Preview & Pick

By Hank Blaine • November 19, 2021

It’s pretty simple when No. 7 Michigan State visits No. 4 Ohio State in Big Ten action on Saturday afternoon: The winner is in the driver’s seat for the Big Ten East title and a spot in the College Football Playoff and the loser is out.

Check out the College Football odds, analysis, and a free pick for Michigan State vs. Ohio State. Check out for more sports betting odds and lines, exclusively at our online BTC sportsbook.

Michigan State vs. Ohio State Game Information

When: Saturday, Nov. 20 at 3:30 pm ET
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
TV: ABC
Radio: The Ticket 1310 AM (Michigan State) / 700 AM WLW (Ohio State)
Live Stream: WatchESPN
College Football Odds: Michigan State Spartans (+19) / Ohio State Buckeyes (-19)

Why Bet on the Michigan State Spartans?

Coach Mel Tucker, in his second season, has MSU at 9-1 and 7-1 in the Big Ten. Ryan Day’s Buckeyes also are 9-1 but a perfect 8-0 in league play. The winner of this game will continue to control their fate heading into the final week of the regular season. Ohio State would win the Big Ten East with a victory and Michigan loss at Maryland also Saturday but that’s not likely.

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker is nearing a 10-year, $95 million extension with the university, which would make Tucker the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten. Tucker was considered a top-candidate for one of the many coaching vacancies that have popped up in recent weeks, especially at LSU. This extension would put an end to that.

This is the 50th all-time meeting between the schools. The Buckeyes hold a 34-15 all-time advantage and have won each of the last five meetings, including a 52-12 decision last season in East Lansing. Buckeyes QB Justin Fields threw for two scores and rushed for two last year but is now a rookie with the Chicago Bears. MSU quarterback Payton Thorne, still the team’s starter, threw for a score and rushed for one. This year’s Spartans team is much better than that one.

Why Bet on the Ohio State Buckeyes?

Ohio State has won 14 of the last 17 in the series since MSU won back-to-back games in 1998 and 1999. This will be the 21st played between the two with both teams nationally ranked. Ohio State leads 14-6. The Spartans have beaten OSU 10 times when the Buckeyes entered the game ranked in the AP Top 25, including five times when the Buckeyes were ranked in the top five (No. 5 in 1972, No. 1 in 1974, No. 1 in 1998, No. 2 in 2013, No. 2 in 2015) and seven in the top 10 (previous five games listed plus No. 7 in 1951 and No. 9 in 1971). Michigan State leads 3-1 when both are in the Top 10.

The Buckeyes have a top Heisman candidate in QB CJ Stroud. He ranks in the top five nationally in quarterback efficiency (fifth, 179.4), touchdown passes (fifth, 30) and yards per attempt (fifth, 9.8). f Ohio State leads the nation in scoring offense (46.3 points per game), total offense (550.4 yards/game), touchdowns scored (59) and yards per play (8.03). Only three times this season have the Buckeyes been held under 500 yards of total offense.

The Spartans have a top Heisman candidate in running back Kenneth Walker III. He was named a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award this week. Walker III leads the FBS in rushing, averaging 147.3 yards per game. He has led the nation in rushing for all but one week of the 2021 season. He also leads the FBS in total rushing yards (1,473), rushing touchdowns (17), yards after contact (1,068), 20-plus yard carries (19) and 10-plus yard carries (40).

Spartans QB Thorne has completed 63 percent of his passes (173-of-273) for 2,460 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He ranks among the Big Ten and FBS leaders in passing efficiency (second and 21st with 158.6 rating), passing TDs (second and 18th with 21), passing (sixth and 33rd with 246.0 ypg) and total offense (sixth and 37th with 260.7 ypg).

Michigan State vs. Ohio State Betting Trends

Spartans are 7-1-2 ATS in the last 10 games overall.
Spartans are 5-1-2 ATS in the last 8 games following a straight up win.
The total went over in 9 of Michigan State’s last 13 games.
Buckeyes are 13-6 ATS in the last 19 games following a ATS win.
Buckeyes are 2-5 ATS in the last 7 games in November.
The total went over in 11 of Ohio State’s last 16 games.

Michigan State vs. Ohio State Expert Betting Predictions

NCAAF Week 12 Pick: Ohio State 38, Michigan State 23

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*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.