NCAAF: OSU FIGHTS FOR REDEMPTION
Ohio State took a big hit to their reputation with a blowout loss at USC in Week 3, but they’ll look to prove they’re the Big Ten’s best at Wisconsin on Saturday night.
OSU, ranked 14th, has been installed as 2.5 points favorites for this game even though Wisconsin is one of the toughest places to play. You can catch all of the Week 6 action at Sportsbook.com. Click here for the early lines, and see the best variety of game and future odds available anywhere.
In fairness to the Buckeyes, they were playing without running back Chris ‘Beanie’ Wells in the USC game, although that certainly doesn’t explain the 35-3 margin. Wells returned to the lineup from his toe injury this past week against Minnesota, rushing for 106 yards on just 14 carries.
Having Wells in the lineup changes the whole complexion of the offense, and so does having freshman Terrelle Pryor starting at quarterback. Pryor rushed for 97 yards against the Golden Gophers and that dual threat has Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Doeren waking up nights in a cold sweat.
Wisconsin, ranked 18th, is coming off a heartbreaking 27-25 defeat at Michigan in which they blew a 19-0 halftime lead. There is simply no excuse for losing that game, but coach Bret Bielema can take solace in the fact that the Badgers are a perfect 16-0 at home under him, and 10-4 against the spread.
USC (ranked 9th) entered last Thursday night as the number one team in the country, but they suffered another Pac-10 shocker when they lost at Oregon State 27-21. The Trojans were a 23-point favorite in that game, and now they host #23 Oregon as 16 ½-point chalk on Saturday.
Last week was also a tough one for the SEC big boys as #2 Georgia and #4 Florida both suffered surprising defeats. Alabama was the team who demolished Georgia at home and they have skyrocketed to second in the nation from 8th. The Crimson Tide try to avoid a letdown when they host Kentucky as 16 ½-point chalk.
SEC power, Auburn narrowly avoided an upset versus Tennessee, and now they have to play at a very dangerous Vanderbilt squad. #19 Vandy already upset South Carolina at home but can they do the same against #13 Auburn as 4 ½-point dogs.
The Big 12 conference has been living in the shadow of the SEC, but that changes this week with four teams ranked in the Top 7. Two potential upsets from the conference this Saturday are #4 Missouri (-11) at Nebraska and #5 Texas (-13.5) at Colorado. Colorado beat a favored West Virginia team two weeks ago at home.
An interesting non-conference game this weekend is #24 Connecticut (+7) at North Carolina. The Big East Huskies are a perfect 5-0, but the oddsmakers aren’t giving them a lot of respect against an ACC squad in North Carolina that is coming off a great comeback win at Miami.
Finally, three ranked teams get the action going early this week. Boise State, #17, is huge 22 ½-point home chalk versus Louisiana Tech on Wednesday night.
Thursday night has #10 South Florida trying to put a Big East beating on Pittsburgh. The Bulls are 17-point favorites but they have yet to play a conference game. Friday night has #8 BYU a whopping 29 point favorite at Utah State.
