Can the Buckeyes best Michigan for a Big Ten title?

There are a lot of college football programs in America that would be thrilled to trade places with Ohio State. But that’s why Ohio State is Ohio State, and essentially why the Buckeye faithful are none too pleased that Michigan has won the last two Big Ten championships.

While both national powerhouses advanced to last season’s College Football Playoffs – Michigan as the No. 2 seed and Ohio State as the No. 4 – it was Ohio State who looked as if they were the better team. Michigan was shocked by TCU, losing 51-45; while the Buckeyes lost by a single point to Georgia before the Bulldogs went on to blow out TCU in the national title game.

But that was then. What does the here and now bring in Big 10 Country?

The Buckeyes will need to replace C.J. Stroud, but they’ve still got one of, if not the, best offenses in the country with stars all over the field. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka make up the best receiving duo in the country, while a backfield featuring TreVeyon Henderson, Miyan Williams and Dallan Hayden is loaded per usual. All those weapons will ease either Kyle McCord or Devin Brown into the starting quarterback role and the Buckeyes shouldn’t miss a beat.

Even the pollsters have faith in a Buckeyes offense that’s not led by Stroud, as evidenced by the preseason rankings. Ohio State enters the season as the No. 3 team in the country, just behind Michigan at No. 2. Neither team has an abnormally tough schedule, but Ohio State will travel to Notre Dame (13) on Sept. 23. That game could prove pivotal, as a loss would surely drop the Buckeyes in the rankings; then again, a win would be huge, as Ohio State gets the first shot at a ranked opponent and could be battle tested before it’s time to play Michigan in the season finally. The Wolverines don’t have a similar test until Nov. 11 when they play Penn State (7). It’s the only time the Buckeyes will face a preseason Top-25 team until Ohio State.

Let’s not sugar coat anything: Michigan is loaded, too. The Team Up North is widely considered to be the second-best team in the country behind Georgia, and for good reason. The Wolverines bring back most of its offensive production from last season, including running back Blake Corum. Many believe that Jim Harbaugh has one of his best teams and is fully capable of winning a national title.

That could be true, but the margin between Ohio State and Michigan is razor thin. It’s so thin in fact, that SuperBook Sports has both teams locked in at +160 to win the Big Ten this season. Put as much stock in the preseason national rankings as you’d like, but according Vegas, both teams have an equal shot at winning the conference.

So which one do you go with? In this instance, there’s not a single stat, player or game that fully tips the scales. Then again if you’re a fan of either program, you may disagree. At +160, betting on either school feels pretty good.

Bud Parmalee’s pick: Ohio State to win the Big Ten (+160)

When the rosters of rivals match up fairly evenly – and Ohio State and Michigan are very similar – sometimes you just have to go with history. Since 2000, only two schools have won the Big Ten three or more years in a row: Ohio State (two separate runs) and Wisconsin. A three-peat in the Big Ten is most definitely not the norm, as it’s very hard to do. Michigan will have to buck the trend, and that bodes well for the Buckeyes.