Ohio State Buckeyes (-12) @ Michigan Wolverines NCAA Pick: One might argue that Michigan has played solid football against some tough teams, and earlier in the season that might have been true. This is a Wolverines team that beat the ranked Fighting Irish and almost upset an Iowa team that started 8-0. But Iowa played a heap of close games with just about everyone, and I think Notre Dame has been exposed for what they are, exactly what Michigan is, a good team in name only.

The Wolverines have lost 4 straight and 6 of their last 8 games, leaving them at 5-6 and needing this win badly, as it will send them Bowling. But after all the talk about extra long practices and “volunteer” team conditioning, does this Michigan team really want to win and go through another month of practice under coach Rich Rodriguez? Can they really build on their last 4 losses enough to come out and play well against the Rose Bowl bound Buckeyes? Well enough to win? Against a Buckeye team that is easily playing their best football of the season down the stretch? That’s hard for me to buy into.

Ohio State has beaten Michigan five straight times, their longest winning streak in the storied history between two of College Football’s finest programs. The Buckeyes have covered 4 of those 5. They are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as favorites over the Wolverines.

Now it’s true, nothing of substance is on the line for the Buckeyes here, and a situation like that could have a good team slow down a bit coming in – but against Michigan? Against their top rival? I don’t think so. I’ll take the Buckeyes!