The Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Washington Huskies in Seattle, Wash. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
Ohio State is favored by -8.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -325. Washington, meanwhile, is a +8.5 underdog and comes in at +255 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/unders sits at 51.5 points.
Here’s my Ohio State vs. Washington prediction and college football picks for Saturday, September 27.
Ohio State vs Washington Prediction
- Ohio State vs. Washington Pick: Washington +8 or Better
My Washington vs. Ohio State best bet is on the Huskies to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Ohio State vs Washington Odds
| Ohio State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8.5 -105 | 52 -110o / -110u | -315 |
| Washington Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8.5 -115 | 52 -110o / -110u | +255 |
- Ohio State vs Washington Spread: Ohio State -8.5, Washington +8.5
- Ohio State vs Washington Over/Under: 52 Points
- Ohio State vs Washington Moneyline: Ohio State -315, Washington +255
Ohio State vs Washington College Football Betting Preview
Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview: Not Perfect
The top team in the nation has enjoyed multiple weeks of silence since its season-opening victory over Texas.
Ohio State smashed Grambling and Ohio by a combined score of 107-9, as a single touchdown to Texas is all the Buckeyes defense has allowed this season.
There are questions remaining on the Ohio State defense from the box score against the Longhorns, namely allowing methodical drives. OSU allowed half of Texas' 10 possessions to feature two or more first downs.
The Texas rushing attack was stuffed on just 16% of attempts — only half of the national average. Ohio State ranks 89th in Defensive Line Yards, an indication that opposing offenses might have an advantage in the trenches.
Offensive coordinator Brian Hartline has called one of the slowest tempos in the nation, averaging 31.4 seconds per play.
The explosive plays have been missing from the offense, ranking bottom-15 in pass EPA through three games.
The offensive line failed to give quarterback Julian Sayin breathing room against Ohio in Week 3, resulting in eight pressures and a sack. The sophomore signal-caller has as many interceptions as big-time throws so far this season.
The good news is he boasts one of the most elite wide receiver units in the nation, as Jeremiah Smith holds an explosive 4.4 yards per route run.
Washington Huskies Betting Preview: Dominant in Some Aspects
Washington has one of the easiest strength of schedules in the country, granting head coach Jedd Fisch an undefeated record heading into conference play.
The Huskies have been electric on offense, more than doubling the national average in available yards gained.
The Huskies run the ball at a 64% clip, led by the explosive duo of running back Jonah Coleman and quarterback Demond Williams. Coleman has already scored nine touchdowns through three games, averaging a whopping 5.1 yards after first contact.
Washington ranks top-10 in numerous offensive categories but comes in as the best FBS team in Havoc allowed and Quality Drives allowed.
A top-15 rank in Rush and Pass EPA signals that Williams is playing at a higher level than he did in his freshman season. The sophomore has yet to record a turnover-worthy play through the air while posting a near-even split of 259 rushing yards on designed calls and scrambles.
New defensive coordinator Ryan Walters has flipped the script from his predecessor, Steve Belichick, now producing against the run and allowing explosives in the air.
Teams that have run outside zone have had no luck against Washington, but Cover 1 has produced a mid-FBS grade for the secondary, per PFF.
The biggest concern for Washington is Finishing Drives allowed, ranking as a bottom-five defense in that area. Opponents have crossed the Huskies' 40-yard line on 10 possessions, averaging 5.5 points per trip.
Ohio State vs Washington Pick, Betting Analysis
Williams and Coleman will exclusively run inside and outside zone read concepts straight at the Ohio State defense. Washington has one of the highest efficiencies of inside zone at a 73% Success Rate, while outside zone has produced an explosive play on one of every three attempts.
This will be problematic for an Ohio State defense that ranks 118th in Defensive Stuff Rate.
Second-level tackling could also come into play for the Buckeyes, who own a PFF tackling rank of 59th. Texas proved that Ohio State can lose the war in the trenches after averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
If Sayin can throw against Washington's nickel package that mixes man and Cover 1 schemes, Ohio State may have an answer in Husky Stadium. Sayin has a limited sample of 16 passing attempts against Cover 1 coverage but has produced a low 44% Success Rate.
Action Network's betting power ratings call for Washington +6.5, giving value to the current market.
Ohio State must shore up the defensive front against zone read concepts, while Washington will keep a single high safety in hopes of picking off Sayin.
Pick: Washington +8 or Better
