It’s no secret that first-year Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has a tough rebuilding project ahead of him. After going 5-7 a year ago under Brady Hoke, getting back to a bowl game would be considered a successful season. But even if that doesn’t happen, Michigan could get some satisfaction if it beats either Michigan State or Ohio State—or both. (Of course, defeating the Spartans and Buckeyes in the same season likely means Michigan is good enough to go bowling. In that case, it would be an added bonus.) However, what are the odds of Michigan pulling off at least one of those upsets? Both games are at home, which is a plus, so let’s set the early odds of beating Ohio State at 3-1, assuming as of today that the Buckeyes will be about a two-touchdown favorite at best. We’ll put beating Michigan State at 2.5-1, assuming the Spartans will be a touchdown or so favorite. The odds to beat both? Let’s put it at 8-1. These odds are just opinion, of course, but they are based on what some early Vegas lines are saying (with an assist from B/R in-house betting guru Adam Kramer). Still, the odds aren’t great, and history alone tells you why. Compounding the misery of Michigan football over the past several years is the fact that the program has fallen far behind not just Ohio State, but Michigan State as well. Things have certainly changed dramatically since 2007 when former Wolverines running back Mike Hart referred to the Spartans as “little brother.” At that time, Michigan had won its sixth straight game over its in-state rival. Since then, the Spartans have won six of the last seven meetings. Things are even worse against the Buckeyes. Since 2003, which also happens to be the last time Michigan beat both teams, the Wolverines are 1-10 against Ohio State. Over the past eight seasons, Michigan is 3-13 against Michigan State and Ohio State. The Wolverines have lost to both teams in the same season five times. Heading into 2015, Ohio State is a runaway favorite to make the College Football Playoff again and potentially repeat as national champions. Michigan State returns quarterback Connor Cook and defensive end Shilique Calhoun and looks to play spoiler for the Buckeyes’ Big Ten and national title hopes. In other words, barring an unforeseen development, Michigan isn’t catching either team in a down year. To beat even one of them, it’s going to require an ugly, grind-it-out game. (For what it’s worth, Michigan went 2-2 in games decided by a touchdown or less last year.) Carlos Osorio/Associated Press That won’t be easy. The Buckeyes and Spartans posted the top two scoring offenses in the Big Ten in 2014 at 44.8 and 43.0 points per game, respectively. …
Continue Reading: Odds Jim Harbaugh Beats Ohio State, Michigan State or Both in 2015
