[durito]

Per Pinnacle

OSU - 4.5
ml - 188
total 52.5


I think that line should be atleast 7.

[austintx05]

I need to re-think this. OSU -4.5, I think they misplaced the decimal

[EBone]

If that is the line, I'll concur. Ohio State in a romp.

Give credit to USC though. They have beaten Cal and Notre Dame in two straight weeks which is something I did not think they were capable of doing. Hats off to the Trojans.


E

[hawk 5]

I like that 52. Should be some points scored in this game.

[bigboydan]

That line didn't last long at all. It's currently 5.5 and 52.5 now.

[dave11486]

USC looked good against ND congratulations, this line should be a TD a least.

[moses millsap]

OSU to win by 17+ imho.

[onlooker]

Who knows, maybe UCLA will beat USC next week.

[BuddyBear]

Hmm......something smells fishy with this line with all do respect.

OSU is the clear #1 and USC has not even secured a spot in the BCS game and the line is only -4.5 and has struggled against seemingly easy competition and lost to an unranked Oregon St team and now they are +4.5 against OSU and the Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith?

Come on fellows...they wouldn't set out a line like this if they didn't think it was right where it needed to be given the handle they expect on this game.

Let's face a couple facts....USC almost never loses. There last three losses are by a combined 8 pts. If you look at Ohio St's previous game against Mich you see Mich was able to move the ball on them easily and put up 39 pts and this was a MICH team who had been doing little on offense (i.e. NW, Minn, PSU, Iowa) really the previous month (c.f. Indiana).

USC is athletic, lot of speed and they can keep up with Ohio St's athletes. Also...don't forget about Pete Carroll he's the best coach in America for a reason.

Anyway...the line is not off by any stretch of the imagination I expect this to be a tight game and USC could easily win this game in my opinion.

[hawk 5]

Good job buddybear, still think Ohio St covers here but the month and a half off scares me. I'm really liking the over.

[EBone]

Hmm......something smells fishy with this line with all do respect.

OSU is the clear #1 and USC has not even secured a spot in the BCS game and the line is only -4.5 and has struggled against seemingly easy competition and lost to an unranked Oregon St team and now they are +4.5 against OSU and the Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith?

Come on fellows...they wouldn't set out a line like this if they didn't think it was right where it needed to be given the handle they expect on this game.

Let's face a couple facts....USC almost never loses. There last three losses are by a combined 8 pts. If you look at Ohio St's previous game against Mich you see Mich was able to move the ball on them easily and put up 39 pts and this was a MICH team who had been doing little on offense (i.e. NW, Minn, PSU, Iowa) really the previous month (c.f. Indiana).

USC is athletic, lot of speed and they can keep up with Ohio St's athletes. Also...don't forget about Pete Carroll he's the best coach in America for a reason.

Anyway...the line is not off by any stretch of the imagination I expect this to be a tight game and USC could easily win this game in my opinion.

Interesting post, BB. I'll respectfully disagree with you on one count:

I think Pete Carroll is a good coach. However, I was really shocked last January at how easy it was for Vince Young to perform against the USC 2005-2006 vintage defense. Carroll's heritage is as a defensive coordinator. I couldn't believe how VY made Carroll's defense look silly and Pete Carroll had 4 weeks to prepare. So, I don't believe Carroll is the best coach in America. I think he is certainly one helluva recruiter. I believe Tressel can beat anyone in college football with one month to prepare. I could be wrong but that is my belief.


Certainly, the point should be well taken that the offshore bookmakers dont put out Ohio State by 4.5 on a whim. I just believe that Ohio State is the better team and would cover that opening line.



E

[Razz]

I think SC is the play as well. I think the numbers really lie here, because from watching both defenses, I would have to say the Trojans have the advantage on that side of the ball. There's no denying the Bucks' offensive ability, and I actually don't think Carroll is anywhere near the in-game coach Tressel is, but something really bothers me about the OSU defense. I still don't think they've had much success against any versatile offense, and they'll face one here. I especially don't see how OSU's secondary can contain the SC receivers.

[bigboydan]

Double B does raise some interesting points indeed. This game does kinda remind me of the LSU/USC game a few years back, in regards to everyone backing USC -6-5.5 number. Then we all know how that one turned out.

The Buckeyes will not play for like 40 days, so they could be a bit rustier than the Trogans too.

[moses millsap]

I will side with the sweater vest in this one if the number doesn't get too outrageous. I trust TS to make less mistakes than JDB and I don't see either defense doing much to stop the other at all in this one.

[pags11]

I'd love USC at +7 but think this one should be closer to +3...

[Dark Horse]

Austin, are you still giving me the three TD's on USC?

[thezbar]

the closing line figures to be around seven if SC makes it to the game

[Razz]

This game does kinda remind me of the LSU/USC game a few years back, in regards to everyone backing USC -6-5.5 number. Then we all know how that one turned out.

I don't remember that game at all. Maybe Oklahoma/LSU?

[bigboydan]

I don't remember that game at all. Maybe Oklahoma/LSU?

Correct Razz.

[bigboydan]

Heres the Press release that Pinnacle released on this one guys:

first Betting Line on ohio state-usc BCS Championship Game available at pinnaclesports.

Leading Online Sportsbook Lists Buckeyes As 5 ˝ Point Favorites In Title Game


WILLEMSTAD, CURACAO (November 27, 2006)—Although the BCS Championship Game is still over one month away, college football fans and members of the media have been debating which teams deserve the opportunity to play for the national championship for weeks. After beating archrival Michigan in their regular season finale, Ohio State secured their spot atop the BCS rankings and earned the right to play in the title game. Meanwhile, Saturday night’s win over Notre Dame moved USC to number two in the BCS, leapfrogging previously second-ranked Michigan. With the Trojans needing only to beat cross-town rival UCLA to qualify for the BCS Championship Game, PinnacleSports.com became the first sportsbook in the world to offer a betting line on a potential national title game match-up between USC and Ohio State.



The largest sports betting site on the Internet, PinnacleSports.com first posted the betting line on USC and Ohio State meeting in the January 8th BCS Championship Game only minutes after the Trojans defeated Notre Dame Saturday night. PinnacleSports.com originally opened the game with Ohio State listed as a 4 ˝ point favorite, but after only one day of betting, the line has already moved and the Buckeyes are now favored by 5 ˝ points over the Trojans. The oddsmakers have also posted the over/under line on the total amount of points scored in the potential USC-Ohio State BCS Championship Game which is currently listed at 53 points.



“The convincing 20 point victory over Notre Dame pushed USC into the second spot in the rankings, and barring an upset by 13 ˝ point underdogs UCLA this Saturday, the Trojans will be playing in its third consecutive BCS title game against undefeated Ohio State on January 8th,” said Simon Noble of PinnacleSports.com. “Although Pete Carroll’s Trojans have posted three consecutive wins over ranked teams, Ohio State will enter the BCS Championship Game with an unblemished record and the top spot in the rankings. If early betting is any indication, our players appear to believe that the Buckeyes will capture their second national title under head coach Jim Tressel.”



Current Odds: *All Odds Subject To Change*



BCS Championship Game USC vs. Ohio State

Ohio State -5.5 USC



Total Points USC vs. Ohio State

Over 53 points 10/11

Under 53 points 1/1

[pags11]

give me USC...please...

[durito]

Line is now -3.5
ML -171
Total 53.5

[dave11486]

This is starting to scare me a little, but the Buckeyes lines have been scary all season so I don't know what I am worried about.

[EBone]

Line is now -3.5
ML -171
Total 53.5

Thanks for the info, durito. If USC blows out UCLA this weekend, this line could get really interesting.



E

[pags11]

I'm thinking it will be close to PK at kickoff...