Despite coach Jim Harbaugh’s ongoing ban for the Wolverines’ sign-stealing scandal, Michigan opens as favorites to beat rival Ohio State for the first time in FIVE years.

For the first time since 2018, Michigan is favored over rival Ohio State in what could be the biggest college football game of the year.

The Wolverines opened ‘Rivalry Week’ as four-point favorites over the Buckeyes, their first such position in five years.

The Wolverines opened as four-point favorites in that 2018 matchup as well, and it was the last time the Buckeyes were underdogs to a Big Ten team. Ohio State triumphed 62-39.

According to ESPN, 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.

But this game will be unlike any others before it, thanks to the scandal surrounding the Michigan football program.

Coach Jim Harbaugh will not be on the sidelines because he is still serving a suspension for knowing about and failing to stop an alleged in-person scouting scheme.

As a result, his teams gained an unfair advantage, as former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions allegedly went to multiple games with the intent of stealing signs via video.

The University of Michigan temporarily fought the Big Ten through a restraining order, but that was lifted last week.

Michigan struggled against Maryland on Saturday, but managed to win, albeit narrowly.

The Wolverines are 2-0 under interim head coach Sherrone Moore, who beat a ranked Penn State team on the road in his first game as Harbaugh’s replacement.

Michigan is attempting to win its third game in a row against the Buckeyes. If they do, it will be the first time since 1995-1997 that they have won three straight games against Ohio State.