1.5* Northwestern Wildcats +11 -110
These are the types of games that show you how Vegas was built. Home underdog, getting points, and the public not only willing to lay double digit road chalk on the big name team, but do it at a 60%+ clip.
One of the best pieces of advice I can give to a beginning gambler, is even if you like OSU in this game, and cant see yourself taking he other side, sometimes laying off the game altogether is as good as a win.
I'm obviously not guaranteeing a NW cover, at the end of the day we are all still gambling, but this is a -EV play for Buckeye backers.
Now that we know OSU isnt the side, do we lay off the game, or play NW?
My line actually has the Buckeyes at -7.5, ad then you have to factor in the motivation/momentum/intensity for NW in this game. From plenty of past experience in trial and error in this spot, I gave NW 8 points motivation.
Why? OSU is out of the Big Ten hunt. They are essentially 2 games back of Penn State because PSU owns the head to head tie breaker. That means OSU is essentially out of the BCS hunt as well. They are playing for a regular 'ole Joe Blow Bowl Game. Meanwhile, this is probably the game of the year for Northwestern. A good season for NW could turn very memorable and one of the greatest seasons in NW history with a big win over the Buckeyes. NW is at home, and whether you want to have Terrell Pryor's baby or not, he is still just a freshman making a road start in a hostile environment.
So we know NW is getting way too many points, we know they are at home, we know OSU has a freshman QB on the road, we know NW has all of the motivation, and OSU is not overly excited to go play NW at their house with a chance to go to the Outback Bowl.
So how does this shape up on the field?
Ohio State has not blown the doors off many opponents this season. They did at Mich State, and they did vs. Youngstown State. Other than that when this team wins they win in the 3-17 point range. They arent blowing people out. They typically score in the 16 to 28 point range.
NW meanwhile, lost one game by 17 and one by 2. Other than that this team has found a way to win 7 games this season. They are 4-1 at home.
I dont care who starts at QB for NW. Kafka ran for 200+ yards last game, he averaged 8 yards per pass, he can move his guys if he has to and he is at home. NW offense has averaged a season high 30 PPG last 3 games and they only give up 17PPG at home. OSU averages just 22 PPG on the road and 22PPG last 3 games.
I am keeping this play small because OSU is off a bye, and they are the better team. The better team doesnt always win, and they dont always cover, especially on the road. So it's not a play to unload on.
So we know NW wants to run the ball, and we know OSU wants to run the ball. Lots of clock getting chewed up in this game and it should be difficult to cover double digits.
Buckeyes continue to be overvalued as they are 2-7ATS in their last 9 games and people just cant seem to learn with them.
Home team in this series is 7-1-1ATS last 9 games.
Take the under the radar, motivated home team vs. the public darling road team that is disinterested laying double digits with a freshman QB.
Ohio State 24
Northwestern 19