NCAA Football Betting Preview – USC, Ohio State gear up for colossal showdown
Posted on 9/5/2008 11:22:10 AM
By Blake Frazier
WHO: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. USC Trojans
WHEN: Saturday, September 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET
WHERE: The Coliseum
KEY STATS: This is the first meeting between these two schools, which have appeared in the BCS title game in the past four seasons (USC 2004-05, Ohio State 2006-07)
Less then a week to go until the biggest college football game of the year, but the tension is palpable and it’s never too early to start thinking about the Ohio State vs. USC betting lines for those who bet sports.
Ohio State still has a game to play before it visits the Coliseum on September 13, but Ohio State vs. USC odds are already the talk of the online betting community.
The Buckeyes opened their season with a 43-0 blowout of Youngstown State at home, and they’ll also welcome Ohio to the “Horseshoe” this Saturday. The big news on campus revolves around the injured foot of Chris “Beanie” Wells, a leading contender in the Heisman odds.
The junior running back, who has been plagued by injury throughout his collegiate career, was hurt after rushing for 111 yards and a touchdown against Youngstown State. If he were to miss the USC game the Buckeyes would be huge underdogs in the USC vs. Ohio State line.
USC gets a bye week after crushing Virginia 52-7 on the road. Mark Sanchez put to rest any worries about his knee, which he dislocated three weeks ago and sidelined the junior quarterback until just before the Virginia game.
Sanchez went 26-of-35 for 338 yards, three touchdowns and a pick for the Trojans, who also forced four turnovers. Also, USC is 18-2 in its last 20 games at The Coliseum—the two losses being their classic 2006 loss to Texas in the national championship game and last year’s massive upset loss to lowly Stanford.
But be careful when looking through the USC vs. Ohio State betting lines, because the Trojans are only 11-9 against the spread at home in those 20 games.
Be sure to check back to the BetOnline.com internet sportsbook, as well as the Bettor’s Edge, for the latest news and lines on the biggest college football game of the season!
Blake walked onto his college football team and had a
brief stint as an assistant coach after he graduated. He brings a sharp mind to
the world of sports handicapping. Blake understands the nuances of the game
that only someone who has played would understand, and he was one of the few
who gave the Giants a chance against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
