Big Ten betting clash: Penn State visits Ohio State
Big Ten betting clash: Penn State visits Ohio State
The Big 12 is dominating the first BCS rankings of the season, though that will change as Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State all begin to play and beat one another. Two teams that could benefit from that are No. 3 Penn State and No. 9 Ohio State who clash this Saturday in Columbus. The winner will be the clear frontrunner in the Big Ten and the favorite for a BCS berth.
It’s the first week of the BCS standings, and the Big 12 is all over the top of the charts. Four of the first eight teams on the list are from the South Division. That won’t last. Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech are a combined 27-1 SU (19-4-1 ATS); they have only just started to do damage to one another in conference play. Someone is not coming out of that cage alive.
While the Big 12 lords it over the betting odds, the other major conferences are still open for business, and business is picking up. All three of these matchups are well worth your time and attention; raking leaves is what halftime is for.
No. 7 Georgia at No. 13 Louisiana State (-1)
Saturday, Oct 25, 3:30 p.m. (ET) CBS
These two SEC powerhouses have shown their flaws. Georgia (6-1 SU, 2-3-1 ATS) played three straight games at home and failed to cash in, losing 41-30 to Alabama (+6½) in the process. LSU (5-1 SU, 2-3 ATS) was drubbed 51-21 at Florida (-6½) and has looked generally unimpressive in its victories.
The Bulldogs were taken down a peg earlier this year by key injuries in the trenches, especially on the defensive line, where 300-pound tackle Jeff Owens (ACL) is out for the season. The offense is not quite elite on the ground with 4.88 yards per carry; the under is 4-1 in Georgia’s last five games.
Problems at quarterback might prevent LSU from taking full advantage of the Bulldogs. Jarrett Lee and Andrew Hatch have combined for 10 TD throws and seven picks, which is a major downgrade from last year’s tandem of Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux (29 TDs, 13 INTs). LSU’s mighty offensive line will play the pivotal role in this matchup, giving Lee the time he needs to make smarter choices with the ball.
No. 3 Penn State at No. 9 Ohio State (+2½)
Saturday, Oct 25, 8:00 p.m. (ET) ABC
The Game of the Week puts some of the focus back on the venerable Big Ten, and on venerable Joe Paterno. The Nittany Lions coach has been working from the press box due to a nagging hip injury. The results can’t be argued with: Penn State is undefeated at 8-0 (5-1-1 ATS).
Now comes the real test. PSU has been a double-digit favorite in six of seven games with a betting line attached. On Saturday night, the Lions are getting less than a field goal on the road against The Ohio State University Buckeyes (7-1 SU, 2-5 ATS). The Buckeyes have won five of their last six meetings with Penn State at 4-2 ATS; last year’s contest was a 37-17 final in favor of visiting OSU (-3).
It’s time for revenge. But after a very slow start to the season, Ohio State showed some of its potential in last week’s 45-7 win at Michigan State (+3½). Beanie Wells broke free for 140 yards on 31 carries, easily his biggest workload of the year after missing three games with an injured foot. Coach Jim Tressel admitted that Wells was sore after the game, yet expressed confidence that he would be fine for Saturday.
No. 5 Southern California at Arizona (+16)
Saturday, Oct 25, 10:15 p.m. (ET)
The Trojans (5-1 SU, 4-2 ATS) are once again knocking on the door of a national championship. Their defense has recovered admirably from that crushing 27-21 loss at Oregon State (+24), holding the high-octane Oregon Ducks to 10 points and pitching shutouts versus Arizona State and Washington State. That cardinal and gold brick wall is imposing enough for USC to lay over two touchdowns to Arizona (5-2 SU and ATS) on the road.
The Wildcats are praying that freshman RB Keola Antolin’s breakout performance (21 carries, 149 yards) last week against Cal was not just a one-time affair. Nic Grigsby is a quality starter at 5.9 yards per carry, but the 5-foot-8 Antolin is drawing hopeful comparisons to 5-foot-7 Jacquizz Rodgers from Oregon State. Antolin might not rush for 186 yards like Rodgers did, but the more Arizona can run the ball, the less time USC will have to cover that spread.
The Wildcats are 0-3 SU and 3-0 ATS in their last three games against USC. The under easily cashed in the past two years; Saturday’s total is 54½ points.
The Big 12 is dominating the first BCS rankings of the season, though that will change as Texas, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State all begin to play and beat one another. Two teams that could benefit from that are No. 3 Penn State and No. 9 Ohio State who clash this Saturday in Columbus. The winner will be the clear frontrunner in the Big Ten and the favorite for a BCS berth.
It’s the first week of the BCS standings, and the Big 12 is all over the top of the charts. Four of the first eight teams on the list are from the South Division. That won’t last. Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech are a combined 27-1 SU (19-4-1 ATS); they have only just started to do damage to one another in conference play. Someone is not coming out of that cage alive.
While the Big 12 lords it over the betting odds, the other major conferences are still open for business, and business is picking up. All three of these matchups are well worth your time and attention; raking leaves is what halftime is for.
No. 7 Georgia at No. 13 Louisiana State (-1)
Saturday, Oct 25, 3:30 p.m. (ET) CBS
These two SEC powerhouses have shown their flaws. Georgia (6-1 SU, 2-3-1 ATS) played three straight games at home and failed to cash in, losing 41-30 to Alabama (+6½) in the process. LSU (5-1 SU, 2-3 ATS) was drubbed 51-21 at Florida (-6½) and has looked generally unimpressive in its victories.
The Bulldogs were taken down a peg earlier this year by key injuries in the trenches, especially on the defensive line, where 300-pound tackle Jeff Owens (ACL) is out for the season. The offense is not quite elite on the ground with 4.88 yards per carry; the under is 4-1 in Georgia’s last five games.
Problems at quarterback might prevent LSU from taking full advantage of the Bulldogs. Jarrett Lee and Andrew Hatch have combined for 10 TD throws and seven picks, which is a major downgrade from last year’s tandem of Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux (29 TDs, 13 INTs). LSU’s mighty offensive line will play the pivotal role in this matchup, giving Lee the time he needs to make smarter choices with the ball.
No. 3 Penn State at No. 9 Ohio State (+2½)
Saturday, Oct 25, 8:00 p.m. (ET) ABC
The Game of the Week puts some of the focus back on the venerable Big Ten, and on venerable Joe Paterno. The Nittany Lions coach has been working from the press box due to a nagging hip injury. The results can’t be argued with: Penn State is undefeated at 8-0 (5-1-1 ATS).
Now comes the real test. PSU has been a double-digit favorite in six of seven games with a betting line attached. On Saturday night, the Lions are getting less than a field goal on the road against The Ohio State University Buckeyes (7-1 SU, 2-5 ATS). The Buckeyes have won five of their last six meetings with Penn State at 4-2 ATS; last year’s contest was a 37-17 final in favor of visiting OSU (-3).
It’s time for revenge. But after a very slow start to the season, Ohio State showed some of its potential in last week’s 45-7 win at Michigan State (+3½). Beanie Wells broke free for 140 yards on 31 carries, easily his biggest workload of the year after missing three games with an injured foot. Coach Jim Tressel admitted that Wells was sore after the game, yet expressed confidence that he would be fine for Saturday.
No. 5 Southern California at Arizona (+16)
Saturday, Oct 25, 10:15 p.m. (ET)
The Trojans (5-1 SU, 4-2 ATS) are once again knocking on the door of a national championship. Their defense has recovered admirably from that crushing 27-21 loss at Oregon State (+24), holding the high-octane Oregon Ducks to 10 points and pitching shutouts versus Arizona State and Washington State. That cardinal and gold brick wall is imposing enough for USC to lay over two touchdowns to Arizona (5-2 SU and ATS) on the road.
The Wildcats are praying that freshman RB Keola Antolin’s breakout performance (21 carries, 149 yards) last week against Cal was not just a one-time affair. Nic Grigsby is a quality starter at 5.9 yards per carry, but the 5-foot-8 Antolin is drawing hopeful comparisons to 5-foot-7 Jacquizz Rodgers from Oregon State. Antolin might not rush for 186 yards like Rodgers did, but the more Arizona can run the ball, the less time USC will have to cover that spread.
The Wildcats are 0-3 SU and 3-0 ATS in their last three games against USC. The under easily cashed in the past two years; Saturday’s total is 54½ points.
