BetUS $500 Match Bonus
Sign up for a new account with BetUS and deposit $500 or more to get a $500 match bonus!

$20 Free Play at Sportsbook.com
Your first bet is free when you open a new account at sportsbook.com!

Toledo vs Ohio State Football Odds

Written September 16, 2009 by Kyle Hunter

ohio-state-toledo-odds-091609 The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Toledo Rockets are coming off two very different games. The Buckeyes are coming off an emotionally draining 18-15 loss at the hands of USC. Ohio State led much of the game, but USC capitalized when Ohio State failed to put the game away. On the other hand Toledo is coming off a 54-38 rout of Colorado. The Rockets did whatever they wanted to offensively in that game and the truth is the matchup wasn’t as close as the final score suggests.

What will the two teams coming off such different weekends mean for this matchup on Saturday? Many pundits figure the Buckeyes will be spent emotionally and may have a tough time getting up for the game, while Toledo will likely be extremely pumped about trying to knock off the team from Columbus. The Buckeyes clearly have the deeper roster that is loaded with talent from top to bottom. The Rockets are a team that has excelled thus far this season and seems to have unlimited offensive firepower, but the Buckeyes will definitely be a big step up in talent from their previous two opponents.

The college football betting lines show Ohio State -20.5. The game is technically a home game for Toledo, but it is being played in Cleveland. Those who follow college football closely at all would likely know that the Buckeyes are likely to have a bit of a home field advantage because of how well they travel. Basically, though the game is said to be a home game for Toledo they will likely have no home advantage whatsoever.

Toledo has put up 95 points in its first two games and senior quarterback Aaron Opelt has proven to be a real leader for the team. Opelt has 7 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on the year and has thrown for 742 yards. Toledo’s defense hasn’t been as sharp, allowing 90 points in the first two games this season. The defense has proven to be very vulnerable to the running game. In fact, in its first game this year Toledo’s defense allowed more than 300 yards on the ground to Purdue.

Ohio State’s defense proved last Saturday night that it is once again a top notch unit despite the loss of players such as Malcolm Jenkins and James Laurinaitis. USC and its high powered offense didn’t do much of anything until its final game winning drive against the Buckeyes as the Buckeyes swarmed around the field quite impressively. On the other hand the Buckeye offense has squandered numerous opportunities so far this year and the lack of progression from Terrelle Pryor has many Buckeye fans concerned. Pryor and the Buckeyes would prefer to run the ball, but must get better in the passing attack if they are going to be one of the nation’s best.

It seems like a pretty sure thing that there are going to be quite a few points put on the board in this one and the over/under has already moved from an opening level of 56 up to 58. It is very feasible that the Buckeyes could come out a little lethargic and the Rockets could put up quite a few yards, but I have to think that in the end the Buckeyes and their running game will be a little too much for the Rockets. If you are able to get 21 points or more with Toledo, I think taking Toledo and the points is a solid play. Ohio State and Jim Tressel tend to play very conservatively so a huge blowout seems unlikely in this one.

Get ready for another winning college football betting season with NCAA football picks from the best handicappers in the business. Betfirms is the best site in the business at providing expert football picks from award-winning cappers.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

No comments yet, but your thoughts are welcome!

Comments

Got something to say?