Ohio State may own a 20-game winning streak but it also just snapped a five-game losing streak against the spread last week, as big spreads have taken a toll on Buckeyes backers. OSU deals with another big number when it makes its first-ever visit to New Jersey to take on Rutgers Saturday evening.
Point spread: Buckeyes opened as 20.5-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)
College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 48.9-23.7 Buckeyes
Why the Ohio State Buckeyes can cover the spread
OSU is coming off one of its better outings of the season so far, a 38-10 victory over Penn State last week. The Buckeyes spotted the Nittany Lions an early field goal then took over from there, leading 21-3 at the half, later scoring the game’s last 17 points and covering as 18-point favorites. Ohio State racked up 429 yards of offense, 315 on the ground, while the defense held Penn State to just one conversion in 11 third-down situations.
The Buckeyes had lost five in a row ATS because they’ve been favored by so much so often. The 18 points of last week was the smallest spread they’d faced since beating Virginia Tech 42-24 as 14-point favorites back in Week 1.
On the season Ohio State has outgained every opponent by at least 108 yards, and it still hasn’t played up to preseason expectations.
Why the Rutgers Scarlet Knights can cover the spread
The Knights are 3-3 both SU and ATS this season, and…
Continue Reading: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Betting Odds, Football Pick
