Week One gives all of us a brief respite from all of the recent off the field issues that have dominated training camp news. At least one would think. But when it comes to Saturday’s game at Columbus between the Oregon State Beavers and Ohio State Buckeyes the story line will be primarily focused on the one man that will be absent from the field. Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer is out due to suspension. Fortunately for the loaded Buckeyes it will likely not matter against a vastly undermanned Oregon State team. The only question is if the Bucks will be sharp enough to cover the big spread without their head coach.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 1 game is set for Saturday, September 1, 2018, at noon ET at Ohio Stadium. This matchup can be viewed on ABC.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Oregon State +38
Ohio State -38
Over/Under 64
Odds Analysis
The number has not budged from its opening despite all of the distractions regarding Ohio State and Meyer’s suspension. The public is obviously not buying into the recent news having a negative affect on the Buckeyes.
Key Trends
Its undeniable that as a public betting commodity Ohio State has not provided the best in betting value as a home chalk. To show Ohio State has paid just three of their last 11 games as home chalks with four of their last five in that situation going over the total. Further, as a home chalk of 28 or more points the Buckeyes have paid in just three of their last 13 games with just two of their last six in that role going under the total. And keep in mind that was with Urban Meyer on the sidelines.
It is just as interesting to note that Oregon State has been at their best vs. the line as a big road dog. For example, the Beavers have lost just two of their last 10 against the spread as a road dog of more than 20 points. Five of their last six in that position have gone over the total.
Coaching Angle
Ryan Day will serve as head coach for Ohio State in Meyer’s absence. He has plenty of veteran help with such stellar assistants as Greg Schiano and Kevin Wilson, both of whom were successful college head coaches. Day is the OSU Offensive coordinator and was already considered head coaching material before recent events transpired.
Jonathan Smith will be coaching his first game for Oregon State. He takes over a program that imploded last year with a mark of 1-11 as previous head coach Gary Andersen tucked tail and ran after a 1-5 start in his third season on the job. Apparently, Andersen saw the train wreck that was coming. Smith is an alum at Oregon State and coached there as a graduate assistant. He comes highly acclaimed from the University of Washington where he impressed all as offensive coordinator. Interestingly enough former Beavers head coach Mike Riley returns as a top assistant after flaming out at Nebraska. Riley was the last man to lead Oregon State to a bowl back in 2013.
Player to Watch
Ohio State sophomore quarterback Dwayne Haskins opened a lot of eyes with a stellar performance at Michigan last year when he came off the bench to spark the Buckeyes to victory at the Big House. To excel against the stout Michigan defense in a pressure packed and hostile environment demonstrated to all that the Bucks would be in fine hands with Haskins. Last year he was a lethal 40 of 57 passing for 565 yards and four touchdowns.
Free ATS Pick
While Oregon State has shown the ability to cover big numbers the Buckeyes are likely going to want to blow off steam and make a statement. Beyond that they have an overload of talent and depth superiority and are light years ahead in development as a program.
College Football Odds: Ohio State 52, Oregon State 10
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
