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Free Pick: Alabama vs. Ohio State Point Spreads & FBS Playoffs Preview

FBS Semi’s: Crimson Tide vs Buckeyes Predictions

College football betting action sees the Alabama Crimson Tide taking on the Ohio State Buckeyes on Thursday January 1 at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana for one of the FBS semifinal games.  Cappers Picks provides free NCAAF handicapping tips all season long.

Alabama enters the first ever playoffs as the top seed.

NCAA Football Odds

Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (12-1)
2015 AllState Sugar Bowl
Thursday January 1
8:30PM
Mercedes Benz Superdome – New Orleans, Louisiana
ESPN
NCAAF Betting Lines:  Alabama -9
NCAAF Betting Total:  58.5
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They get a Buckeyes team looking to prove itself worthy in this semifinal.

Alabama

The Crimson Tide played this one the old fashioned way getting their lone loss out of the way early.

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They enter the playoffs on an 8 game winning streak and all but a couple of those were by 10 points or more.

This Alabama team is probably not as good as some of the recent teams that won championships but that is a high bar.

They are ranked #1 heading into the playoffs and there is good reason they are ahead of teams like Florida State, the lone undefeated team.

The unsung hero for this team is QB Blake Sims.

He wasn’t supposed to win the job but the connection between him and Amari Cooper made Cooper a Heisman candidate and his steadying influence has been critical to the Tide’s success.

Alabama has a very balanced offense and it is because Sims is able to be efficient throwing the ball.

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I hate to say it but Lane Kiffin might have been a factor too. He can coach offense.

Ohio State

The Buckeyes would not have been my choice but I guess it is hard to ignore what they did this season.

Sure the loss to Virginia Tech, at home looks terrible, but they went undefeated in B10 play and capped it off with a stunning slaughter of the Badgers in the title game.

Part of the reason I would have liked to see a team like TCU is that I think they have a better chance of giving Bama a game.

OSU will have the chance to prove me and a whole bunch of others wrong.

OSU goes into this one with QB Cardale Jones leading the way.

I know that is not a name most people know but the rumour is that he was ahead of J.T. Barrett in the spring.

From what we have seen he should play well and I think likely will not the be reason the Buckeyes win or lose. This team has to be able to run the ball and overall has to be able to hold up in the trenches.

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That is where OSU has been crushed by SEC teams in the past.

NCAAF Handicapping Trends:

  • Over is 6-0 in Buckeyes last 6 games following a SU win of more than 20 points.
  • Over is 6-0 in Buckeyes last 6 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
  • Over is 4-0 in Buckeyes last 4 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
  • Over is 5-0 in Crimson Tide last 5 Thursday games.
  • Crimson Tide are 0-7-1 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games.
  • Crimson Tide are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. Big Ten.

NCAAF Prediction:  Alabama +9

I think OSU will be able to move the ball but just not get TDs.

4* NCAAF Score prediction:  Alabama 31 – Ohio State 19

That inability to convert will prevent them from winning and covering.

Check out our Updated NCAA Football Bowl Game Odds.

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By The Wiesguy

The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.