The Ohio Bobcats take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Ohio State is favored by 31 points on the spread with a moneyline of -8000. Ohio, meanwhile, comes in at +1800 to pull off the upset. The total is set at 52 points.
Here’s my Ohio vs. Ohio State prediction and college football picks for Saturday, September 13.
Ohio vs Ohio State Prediction
- Ohio vs. Ohio State Pick: 1H Ohio State -19.5
My Ohio State vs. Ohio best bet is on the Buckeyes to cover a big number in the first half. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Ohio vs Ohio State Odds
| Ohio Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+31 -110 | 52 -110o / -110u | +1800 |
| Ohio State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-31 -110 | 52 -110o / -110u | -8000 |
- Ohio vs Ohio State Spread: Ohio State -31, Ohio +31
- Ohio vs Ohio State Over/Under: 52 Points
- Ohio vs Ohio State Moneyline: Ohio +1800, Ohio State -8000
Ohio vs Ohio State College Football Betting Preview
Ohio Bobcats Betting Preview: Upset City
Through two games, Ohio has garnered the attention of many with a terrific effort against Rutgers and an outright win over West Virginia in front of a record crowd (one that included me, who traveled to watch the Bobcats firsthand).
A misleading final score against the Mountaineers didn't stop linemakers from spotting the Bobcats five touchdowns to open.
Ohio possessed the ball for over 40 minutes and could have won by multiple scores if not for three consecutive Parker Navarro interceptions to start the second half (WVU did not score a touchdown on any of the ensuing drives).
Unequivocally, Ohio dominated that game.
But can that roll continue into Columbus for a shot at in-state rival Ohio State? That's a tall order to fill.
The Bobcats roll with Navarro and fall with Navarro. When the quarterback can make plays with his feet and find throws downfield when extending time in the backfield, Ohio is dangerous.
But when he's turning the ball over with poor decision-making and late throws, Ohio stalls out. The Bobcats scored twice on consecutive drives to end the first half when Navarro found open receivers downfield.
After those drives, they didn't score at all.
The Bobcat defense played well against WVU, but that offensive game plan was atrocious. Rutgers scored with ease until the turnovers started coming.
It's a defense that'll thrive against MAC competition but can be exposed against the right Power Conference opponent. They don't play a team capable of exposing that defense anytime soon… do they?
Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview: Bigger, Faster, Stronger
Nobody in college football has a more dangerous receiving room than Ohio State. Though the offense struggled against Texas, the Buckeyes came out in Week 2 and threw one pass not caught by somebody (on offense or defense) and hung 70 on visiting Grambling State.
Regardless of the string playing, Ohio State could have scored 100 points if it wanted to — it was that easy.
Of course, the average for Ohio State's offense lies somewhere in the middle of 14 points and 70 points.
Quarterback Julian Sayin looked decent against Texas and elite against Grambling State; the truth about the first-year starter is also somewhere in the middle.
Star defensive lineman Kenyatta Jackson Jr. returned to the field in Week 2 after being banged up in Week 1, and he should be good to go this week.
Ohio State's defensive front is about as good as any in the nation, and it should cause significant problems to an offensive line that allowed 29 QB pressures through two games.
Ohio State should come out for another tune-up game against Ohio with talented advantages in every phase of the game, even with twos against Ohio's ones. It should be a good home environment for the Buckeyes at 7 p.m. ET.
Ohio vs Ohio State Pick, Betting Analysis
Ohio took all of the line movement early on, dipping from +35.5 to +32.5 by Wednesday.
Rather than banking on Ohio State keeping its foot down all game and covering the big spread, I'm taking the Buckeyes in the first half.
Ohio head coach Brian Smith knows what the Bobcats are walking into. He talked about what he wants to see from his guys in the game in a Monday presser. It's a fund-the-athletic-department game for Ohio.
The other aspect here is that the Bobcats are bound for a "return to earth" game. Week 1 saw them play well over their water level in the 34-31 loss, while Week 2 brought out the best in the defense in front of a record Peden Stadium crowd.
Now, it's back to the road to play in one of the most daunting environments in college football against one of the country's most talented teams.
Ohio State's defensive front is simply too dominant for Ohio to get much going early. Navarro is as exciting a scrambler as anyone, but his line allows pressure, and he's not untouchable. I anticipate the Buckeyes to log a handful of sacks right out of the gate.
The Buckeyes also handled Texas' run game exceptionally well.
Ohio's go-to back is Sieh Bangura, who returned to Athens after not getting much run at Minnesota. He's a physical, downhill runner, but Ohio State's second level excels at tackling. I don't believe the Bobcats will be able to lean on Bangura early.
This is a severe mismatch, so I'm taking Ohio State to cover this first-half number with a comfortable halftime lead.
Pick: 1H Ohio State -19.5
