Big Ten Trends
You’ve heard that those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it right?
Ohio State bettors sure hope it’s true as they prepare to take on the USC Trojans this weekend.
Last season the Ohio State Buckeyes were ranked No. 5 when they traveled to Los Angeles to take on the No. 1 ranked USC Trojans.
Fans and the sports betting community were buzzing with the expectation of a classic college football battle between two of the top college football programs.
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But the pointspread told a little different story, as online sportsbooks opened with USC as a double digit favorite (11 points) pegging that as the number that would produce action on both sides. The Trojans were a better team, and that wasn’t simply media hype, but still, Ohio State had an opportunity to step up.
They didn’t…and when the final whistle blew bettors who backed the big favorite smiled all the way to the bank, cashing USC tickets after the Trojans hammered “The” Ohio State 35-3.
Fast forwarding to the present, almost a year to the day, the Trojans (now No. 3) will again play the Buckeyes (#8) but this time in Columbus—SPORTSBETTING.com has USC is listed as a 7-point road fave and the Total is set at 44.
With true freshman QB Matt Barkley behind center last week, the Trojans managed to cover as 33-point faves in a 56-3 victory over San Jose State.
Meanwhile, sophomore QB Terrelle Pryor led the Buckeyes to a 31-27 straight up victory over Navy, but they didn’t come close to covering the 21.5-points.
Betting Trends:
The USC game not withstanding, bettors have actually prospered when wagering on Ohio State against Pac-10 competition, as the Buckeyes are 8-1 against the spread dating back to 1995.
But, please note, the Trojans have rattled off 9-straight ATS wins against opponents from the Big Ten conference.
In its last 12 games when listed as favorites of 8-points or less, USC has a record of 10-2 ATS.
The Big 10 brand has taken a beating over the last few years (and that smackdown last year by USC didn’t help), and bettors have taken note. Heading into this matchup the money is flowing to the higher-ranked favorite.
Currently the Trojans have 71% of the action on them in this tilt.
Notre Dame vs. Michigan:
The rivalry between Notre Dame and Michigan has lost a bit of its luster lately but these storied programs still attract plenty of attention when they meet. This week the Fighting Irish travel to Ann Arbor to take on the Wolverines.
Notre Dame enters the game ranked No. 18, listed as a 3-point road fave and the Total is set at 48.
Overall, Michigan leads the series 20-15-1 but the two have been much more evenly matched recently, at least straight up.
Since 1997, the two are 5-5 SU however, Notre Dame has the edge against the spread going 7-3.
Michigan has struggled in its last 11 games against Independents going 3-8 ATS.
Over/Under bettors take note – in Notre Dame’s last eight games when favored by 4-points or less they have produced 7 Overs and 1 Under.
On the other side, the Wolverines haven’t been a solid bet when listed as underdogs of 4-points or less, going 3-8 ATS and are also on 4-game SU and ATS losing streak in this spot.
It will be another great weekend of college football.
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