Constitutional Morning: Why Does Michigan Get Preference Over Ohio State?
Why is Ohio State Not as Strong as Michigan?
The first college football lines for the biggest games of the season were issued by online sportsbook
BetOnline.ag on Tuesday. It’s a technique to create interest and some betting ($500 limits) in the off-season, and when Michigan opened as a 6.5-point favourite over Ohio State, there was a lot of interest.
Fans of the Buckeyes, understandably, weren’t buying it, and many expressed their astonishment and incredulity on message boards, Facebook, Twitter, and at work and church. Heck, as they did the previous season, some Michigan supporters were rolling their eyes at the idea of being favoured.
Dwayne Haskins has left as well. The NFL has acquired the best passing quarterback in Ohio State history, so the Buckeyes will now turn to a player who has never been turned to before.
The venue, the absence of Urban Meyer, and the absence of Dwayne Haskins are sufficient reasons to make the Wolverines favourites.
Although Michigan loses numerous instructors and great defensive players, defensive coordinator Don Brown is back and has succeeded in starting positions in the past.
Right now, I understand what you’re saying. “The same Don Brown who was a major contributor to last year’s 62-39 victory?” you ask.
That same Don Brown, indeed. It was also Don Brown who, in 207 and 2016, kept OSU to 350 total yards through defence.
Along with adding a new offensive coordinator, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has pledged to expand the offence. With a fullback and two tight ends on the field, there will be no more wasted snaps.
On paper.
In the meantime, there is currently some ambiguity around Ohio State’s defence. Do you know which players Buckeye supporters frequently gripe about? They will most likely begin this year as
well.
And will OSU’s running game be able to recover? Most likely?
In addition, Ohio State plays Penn State, while Michigan plays Indiana the week before The Game.
Thus, yesthe Wolverines are favoured over the Buckeyes for a number of reasons.
Of course, there are many more reasons why Ohio State has already seen its starting line lowered to -4.5 by bettors, but we’ll keep those for another time.
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