NCAA football betting - Penn State vs Ohio State betting
Sportsbook odds - Penn State vs Ohio State betting: Penn State making a BCS push
- WHO: No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions at No. 12 Ohio State Buckeyes
- WHAT: NCAA football betting
- WHEN: Saturday, October 25 at 8:00 p.m. ET
- WHERE: Ohio Stadium in Columbus OH
- KEY STATS: Ohio State is 5-0 ATS in its last five games when playing at home against Penn State
- PICK: Penn State
NCAA football betting sharps always have a keen eye on the ever-competitive Big Ten. This year, however, it’s a two horse race—and those two will meet up this Saturday. Penn State vs Ohio State betting will be the hottest game on the board, as the two powerhouses will battle for conference supremacy and the automatic BCS berth that will come with it should they hold on to top spot until season’s end.
It’s been a season of redemption for the Nittany Lions, who have been perennial Big Ten whipping boys for the better part of a decade. The preseason speculation was that head coach Joe Paterno has lost control of the team and was too old to coach NCAA football.
Yet, in a season during which Paterno has frequently coached from the press box, Penn State has turned into a BCS title threat literally overnight. Perhaps the only blip on the Nittany Lions’ record is failing to cover the NCAA football spread against Michigan by two points. However, the NCAA football lines were set at -23.5 in favor of Penn State and they did win 46-17.
PSU quarterback Devin Clark wasn’t outstanding last week—even falling behind 17-7 before halftime—but with a stud like Evan Royster in the backfield, it was irrelevant. Royster ran for 174 yards, including one of three Nittany Lion rushing touchdowns against the Wolverines. Having come from behind last week, Penn State is favored by 2.5 points on the road according to NCAA football odds.
The Buckeyes handled the Wolverines’ rivals last week, the Michigan State Spartans, and did so with ease. After a disappointing performance against Purdue, quarterback Terrell Pryor told head coach Jim Tressel that if he didn’t move the ball against the Spartans he wanted to be benched.
There was no need for that however, as the freshman torched then-No. 20 Michigan State, 45-7. Chris Wells looked mobile and healthy—finally without his protective lineman’s boot—and ran for 140 yards on 31 carries, including two touchdowns.
However, it is Ohio State’s one loss against USC that makes it an underdog on the Penn State vs Ohio State line.
BLAKE’S PICK: With the Penn State vs Ohio State betting line set at just 2.5 points, it’s hard to justify playing the point spread if you’re looking for value. However, Penn State brandishes a more well-rounded offense.
Despite the blowout last week, the Buckeyes did all of their scoring on the ground—even Terrelle Pryor’s significant production came in the form of 72 rushing yards. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, they’re bringing their rush game up against the premiere rush defense in the country. Bet on Penn State when making your Penn State vs Ohio State pick this weekend.
Swing by the BetOnline.com Sportsbook for everything you could possibly need to bet sports online. The Betting Edge provides insight and analysis daily to help sports betting fans.
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.
