Buckeyes vs Spartans NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
The Big Ten has been the laughing stock of college football so far this year. Game after game in the non-conference schedule the Big Ten was humiliated by smaller conferences.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan State Spartans
Spartan Stadium, East Lansing Michigan
Saturday September 29, 3:30 PM EST on ABC
College Football Betting Odds from Bovada
Moneyline: Michigan State (-140) Ohio State (+120)
College Football Spread: Michigan State -2.5 (-110) vs. Ohio State +2.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 42.5
Ohio State and Michigan State have fared relatively well, but the teams still don’t look like good teams.
The Big Ten season kicks off with a big battle in East Lansing this weekend. ESPN’s College Gameday will be on hand for this one!
Ohio State
The Ohio State Buckeyes may be 4-0 this season, but Urban Meyer’s team hasn’t been impressive at all. Cal really should have beaten the Buckeyes in Columbus two weeks ago.
UAB outgained the Buckeyes last weekend, and UAB is a terrible team. Braxton Miller is being named among the Heisman Trophy possible after a red hot start. Miller has 441 rushing yards through four games.
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He already has seven rushing and six passing touchdowns. The problem for Ohio State is no one else on the offense is stepping up to help out Miller. This team must rely less on Miller running it, or he risks getting injured.
The offense needs a tailback to step up an carry the load more.
Defensively, Ohio State has been disappointing so far this year.
The Buckeyes have a dominating defensive line, but they have been inconsistent this season. Ohio State’s secondary has been picked apart. The Buckeyes are allowing 277.2 yards per game through the air, which is 108th in the nation.
It is the defense that has been the biggest problem so far this year, and that is certainly a surprise.
Michigan State
The Spartans have had two big games this year, and two very different results. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Spartans took care of business against Boise State, but Notre Dame completely dominated Michigan State in East Lansing.
Le’Veon Bell has 610 yards and five touchdowns already this year. He is averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Bell is one of the best running backs in the nation, and he runs behind a very talented line.
Andrew Maxwell has struggled to get going at the quarterback spot. Maxwell has three touchdowns and three picks this year. Basically, the Spartans have been very one-dimensional on offense this year.
The Michigan State defense ranked near the top all of last season, and they are loaded again this year.
There isn’t any real weakness on this unit. The front line has a great balance of speed and size. The linebackers are very solid, and they can cover a lot of ground. The secondary is one of the best in the nation thanks to a couple very solid cover corners.
Don’t expect anyone to put up too many points on this group.
The defenses are far ahead of the offenses here. The Buckeyes should dare Maxwell to beat them, and I think the Spartans will dare Miller to beat them with his arm.
Look for a low scoring game.
Free College Football Pick: Under 42.5
