Ohio State +1 / Teaser
There are not many games where you could say Jim Harbough is not the best coach. Urban Meyer arguably the best coach in the nation and I like the fact that heâs at home here and there is good weather on the way with no wind which has me leaning towards the over. Meyer seems to get a little more aggressive with JT Barret when the weather is good and he naturally always has a good passing team. I think Ohio State comes out aggressive in this game and they have the better players and are at home. Meyer always a good big game head coach in college and itâs been well documented. Meanwhile Harbough has come up short many times throughout his coaching career. Thatâs not to say it can change, but I donât see it changing in this situation.
Overall these teams are very even on both sides of the ball in running, and passing and playing defense against both, but there are 3 things I like in Ohio Stateâs favor here and they are 3 big differences. Coaching, QB, and home field advantage. Those three will be the key and the difference in Ohio State winning this game big and possibly by double digits.
Michigan State +17.5
All of the pressure is on Penn State here, and this is Michigan Stateâs bowl game. They have been playing much better of late and have stepped up in the big games. The defense is still not what it once was, but they are healthier than the past and they are led by Riley Bullough who should have his team pumpe dup to play Penn State. Penn State has more injuries on the offensive line, and a banged up Saquon Barkley. This is an inflated line in my opinion and Michigan State is 15-2 ATS as a dog over their last 17, which includes a 3-0 ATS mark this year. Iâm taking some extra points in this one althought I just think Penn State comes out super tight after they realize Ohio State wins and they have a shot to get to the Big Ten title game.
