Michigan opens as favorites to beat rival Ohio State for first time in FIVE years despite coach Jim Harbaugh’s ongoing ban over Wolverines’ sign-stealing scandal
- The last time the Wolverines were favorites over the Buckeyes was back in 2018
- But Michigan will be without head coach Jim Harbaugh for this contest
- DailyMail.com[1] provides all the latest international sports news
By Jake Fenner For Dailymail.Com[2]
Published: 18:03, 20 November 2023 | Updated: 18:06, 20 November 2023
Ahead of what might be the biggest college football game of the year, Michigan[3] is opening as favorites over rivals Ohio[4] State for the first time since 2018.
The Wolverines have opened ‘Rivalry Week’ as four-point favorites over the Buckeyes – the first time they’ve been in this position in five years.
That 2018 matchup saw the Wolverines open as four-point favorites then as well, and it was the last time the Buckeyes had been underdogs to a Big Ten team.
Ohio State won 62-39.
It was a streak of 43 games as favorites – which is the longest active streak of being favored against a conference in all of football, according to ESPN.
But this matchup will be much different than others before it – especially because of the scandal surrounding the Michigan football program.
Michigan opens as favorites over Ohio State for the first time since 2018 ahead of Saturday
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is suspended and will not be on the sidelines
The Wolverines are 2-0 under acting head coach Sherrone Moore in Harbaugh’s absence
Coach Jim Harbaugh will not be on the sidelines as he continues to serve a suspension for being aware of an alleged in-person scouting scheme – but not stopping it.
That gave his teams an unfair advantage as former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions reportedly went to multiple games with the intention of stealing signs via video.
The University of Michigan briefly fought with the Big Ten via a restraining order, but that was dropped last week.
On Saturday, Michigan struggled against Maryland – coming out with the win, albeit a close one.
The Wolverines are 2-0 under acting head coach Sherrone Moore – who beat a ranked Penn State team on the road in his first game in charge deputizing for Harbaugh.
Michigan is looking to win its third consecutive game against the Buckeyes.
If they do that, it’ll be the first time they’ve won three-in-a-row over Ohio State since a stretch from 1995-1997.