Akron (0-0) at No. 16 Ohio State (0-0) Gambling Preview + Predictions
Ohio State has been in the news more than any other college football program in the offseason, but it has been for all the wrong reasons.
Jim Tressel was a very good football coach, but he’s no longer the team’s head coach after he covered for players implicated in “Tatoogate.”
Luke Fickell inherits a program that is in a ton of turmoil, but he still has a plethora of talent to work with. The same cannot be said for Rob Ianello at Akron. Ohio State wants nothing more than to get on the field, and they’ll get that chance this coming Saturday afternoon.
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Akron Zips vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio Stadium
Saturday September 3, 12:00 PM EST
NCAA Football Odds from BetOnline
Moneyline: Off
College Football Spread: Ohio State -33.5 (-110) Akron +33.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 48
Akron vs. Ohio St. ATS Gambling Stats –>
Akron
The Akron Zips were one of the worst teams in all of college football last year. The Zips went 1-11 last year in Ianello’s first year as head coach. Akron’s offense was historically bad last season. The Zips play in the Mid American Conference, which isn’t known for its strong defenses.
Despite the weak defenses in the MAC, Akron was only able to put up 15 points per game during 2010. In fact, the team scored more than 22 points only twice last year, and both of those games went into double overtime. Akron is a team that wants to run the football, but they lack depth in the backfield.
The Akron defensive front isn’t bad. Brian Wagner is a star at the linebacker position. Unfortunately for Akron, the pass defense is very poor. The Zips ranked 113th out 120 teams in pass defense last year.
While this run defense may hold its own against weak teams in the MAC, the Buckeyes running attack will likely be far too much for them.
Ohio State
Ohio State went 12-1 last year, but the vest is gone and Terrelle Pryor is now in the NFL. Can Ohio State work through the turmoil and somehow pick up a sixth straight Big Ten title? [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Joe Bauserman and Braxton Miller are battling it out for the starting quarterback spot. Bauserman is a senior, but he hasn’t had much experience in game situations. Miller was one of the highest ranked quarterbacks in the nation in high school last year.
The strength of this Buckeyes offense should be their ability to run the football. Boom Herron will miss the first five games, but the Buckeyes have more than enough depth in the backfield. Jordan Hall, Jamaal Berry, Carlos Hyde, and Rod Smith will all see time in the first few games. This offensive line led by center Mike Brewster should be very good.
Ohio State has won with its defense for the last few years, and that shouldn’t be any different this season. The Buckeyes are very strong across the defensive front. John Simon is one of the strongest players in the nation, and he’ll clog up the running lanes at the defensive tackle spot.
Nathan Williams and Johnathan Hankins should be very good up front as well. The Buckeyes must replace a couple starters at the linebacker position, but they are deep and talented here. The secondary will likely be the weakest unit on this defense.
Ohio State will need the defense to step up and keep them in games this year since they have an inexperienced quarterback leading the offense.
The Akron Zips offense is horrendous, and the Buckeyes defense will likely be out to prove a point in this one. Ohio State has been waiting quite a while for this game, and Akron simply doesn’t have the talent to matchup with the Buckeyes.
This one should get really ugly.
NCAA Gambling Trends:
Under is 6-2 in AKR last 8 non-conference games.
AKR are 7-15 ATS in their last 22 games overall.
OHIST are 15-2 ATS in their last 17 home games.
Over is 7-3 in OHIST last 10 home games.
Free College Football Pick: Ohio State -33.5
Score Prediction: Ohio State 45 Akron 3
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