- Ohio State has been among the most impressive teams in the country this year
- The Buckeyes are nearly a three-touchdown favorite Saturday against Michigan State
- What direction will the line move? Maybe you should get your wager in now
More than a month has gone by since the college football season began. While Alabama and Clemson are both unbeaten and continue to be ranked at the top of polls, there is a strong argument that Ohio State is the nation’s best team.
Analytics experts love the Buckeyes, yet their odds to win the 2020 national title have mostly stayed in the same range. This week’s game for OSU begins a five-game stretch where, on paper, only Wisconsin at home (Oct. 26) seems like it might be competitive.
As we delve into the MSU/OSU odds, it is worth considering the history between these two squads, and how public opinion may influence the spread.
Michigan State vs. Ohio State Odds
| Team | Odds at BetOnline* | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | +20 (-110) | Over 49 (-110) |
| Ohio State | -20 (-110) | Under 49 (-110) |
*Odds taken 09/30/19. For a comprehensive list of betting options, visit BetOnline.
Ohio State is 32-15 all time against the Spartans and the Buckeyes have won three straight. Last year in East Lansing, the margin was 26-6, and two years ago in Columbus, OSU rolled 48-3. The prior six meetings were all decided by two touchdowns or less with four of the six being field-goal games.
Ohio State
Five uncompetitive victories to start the season looks great, but how good are FAU, Cincinnati, Indiana, Miami (OH), and Nebraska?
Would it surprise you to know four of those five opponents are over .500? The Buckeyes have actually played a more difficult slate than all but Auburn in the current Sagarin top 10.
The Buckeyes rank eighth in the country in total offense and second on defense. Quarterback Justin Fields ranks fifth in passing efficiency and is responsible for the second-most points in the country.
Michigan State
The Spartans are 4-1 but they haven’t impressed the way Ohio State has. MSU is just 2-3 against the spread and Saturday’s 40-31 victory at home against Indiana wasn’t inspiring. After handling Tulsa and Western Michigan to begin the year, Arizona State pulled a stunning 10-7 upset in East Lansing. The Spartans bounced back to beat Northwestern 31-10 and Indiana 40-31.
MSU’s opponents are 13-10 and the Spartans schedule ranks 30th in the NCAA according to Sagarin. Michigan State ranks 16th overall, which might tell us more about the difference between the elite and everybody else than it does about how good MSU is.
While Sparty’s defense has been stout, 7th best in the NCAA, the offense has struggled (71st). Michigan State’s kicking game is potent, with punter Jake Hartbarger leading the Big Ten and sitting top 10 in the NCAA in yards per kick, and place kicker Matt Coghlin having connected on 43 career field goals.
The Play
The public is going to see a freight train than cannot be stopped in Ohio State hosting a Michigan State squad that lost as a two-touchdown favorite against Arizona State.
If the spread fails to hit 21, that means sharp players and sportsbooks are happy to take Ohio State money. If you want the Buckeyes, strike now before you have to lay three scores. If you want to be a wise guy, wait and see if you can get the Spartans +21. At worst, you can bet MSU +20 closer to kickoff.
The post #5 Ohio State Laying 20 Points Against #25 Michigan State in Opening Spartans vs Buckeyes Odds appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.
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