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Home > Blogs > Buckeyes Beat > Archives > 2008 > September > 05 > Entry
Buckeyes won’t cover spread against Ohio U
Ohio State is a 34-point favorite Saturday against Ohio University. If Jim Tressel’s history against the Mid-American Conference is any indication, I doubt the Buckeyes will cover.
My advice: Take the points.
Tressel is 9-0 against the MAC since taking over in Columbus in 2000. Only twice have the Buckeyes defeated a MAC foe by more than four touchdowns during that span — both times against Kent State, including a 48-3 thumping last year.
The spreads in the other seven games: 14, 7, 3 (remember Mike Nugent’s long field to beat Marshall in 2004?), 20, 23, 28, 18.
OSU hasn’t play Ohio since 1999, a 40-16 victory, and the Buckeyes are 5-0 all-time against the Bobcats.
I keep going back to last year’s 20-2 snoozer over Akron. And, hey, ESPN wouldn’t televise this game if the brains in Bristol thought it would be 48-7, right?
I don’t think the game will be close, but Ohio U is a step up from Youngstown State, and the Buckeyes’ running game will be average at best without Beanie Wells.
And Tressel will still be working Terrelle Pryor into the lineup, which means some disruption at the QB spot. Pryor, a freshman, probably is feeling pretty full of himself after last week’s impressive performance. He’ll learn a lesson Saturday, which will help him get down to business when OSU goes to USC.
Some off-the-field tidbits about Saturday’s game:
— Honorary captain for the Buckeyes is Dave Foley, an All-America offensive lineman from Springfield and Ohio State’s only three-time Academic All-American (1966-68).
— Olympic basketball gold medalist and former Buckeye Michael Redd will be recognized at halftime.
— Inductees to the Varsity O Hall of Fame will also be honored at halftime; the induction dinners are Friday night.
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Comments
By Patrick
September 5, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Cover? How about win. Go Bobcats! (the real “O-H”)By Kevin
September 5, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
I disagree. Although Tressel rarely tries to run the score ala Steve Spurrior, he will be trying to get Pryor and some of the quality young talent some reps. So I don’t see OSU just running the time out the last two quarters. And Ohio doesn’t score more than 7 points in this game, so the real question becomes can OSU put up 40? And I think they will.By Bailey
September 5, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
I am really looking forward to this game. I don’t think the game itself will be interesting, but I really think it will be funny when the Horseshoe starts with its OH-IO chants.By John
September 5, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Kollars, you’re a dick.By Fredo
September 5, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
Bucknuts stink. When is that game vs. powerhouse Troy ? USC 43 OSU 20By Ben
September 5, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
Who cares about the spread. Spreads are worthless. To be honest, I wouldn’t mind watching Ohio State march all the way to the national title winning every game by only one point and then win the title game by one point.By Bill Loftus
September 5, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
Ohio’s first four games are a lot more challenging for them than Ohio States first four games are for them. I just wish the Bobcats the best; and hope that they show well for both themselves and the Mid American Confeence.By Bill Loftus
September 5, 2008 6:29 PM | Link to this
Ohio’s first four games are a lot more challenging for them than Ohio States first four games are for them. I just wish the Bobcats the best; and hope that they show well for both themselves and the Mid American Confeence.By O-H-I-O (Univ.)
September 5, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
Hope Mr. Saban and the boys in Green and White aren’t too intimidated. The mighty Bucks will be looking ahead so maybe O-H-I-O can use that to their advantage. GO BOBCATS!By Wordell
September 5, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
I miss Ohio. Born there in 1952, left in 1985. I’m in Georgia…been here too long. Y’all (damn, I have been here too long!) need to chill out and just enjoy competition between the family. Who am I rooting for? I suppose it’s like having son’s on opposite teams. I have close ties to both schools…so I won’t watch. Yea, I’m a wuss.By Done with the Bengals
September 5, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
Hey Fredork. Who does lsu play this week? Troy. They played Appalachian St. last week. They play North Texas next week. 43 points? Yeah…right. O H I O b***h.By thepummeler
September 5, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this
the Bucks running game even without Beanie will be outstanding (average at best?) football aficianado, you’re not. its hard to decide which writer sucks worst for the ddnBy Jyah
September 6, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
LOL @ the people who think the bobcats will be the first in state team to beat the buckeyes since 1921.. good luck!By jason
September 6, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Halftime now Ohio 7, OSU 6. An forgettable performance where OU has outplayed the Bucks. And yes, OSU’s running backs have looked “average at best”. Credit where credit is due … Kollars was right.