College Football Betting: Miami Redhawks at Ohio State Buckeyes

By BetOnline September 17, 2019

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The Miami Redhawks just played the Cincinnati Bearcats and got blown out 35-13. They will remain in the state of Ohio this week to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes, who blew out the Bearcats 42-0 the week before. The Buckeyes are a massive favorite in this spot, so nobody is expect a loss, but can Miami (OH) at least cover?

MIAMI REDHAWKS AT OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
CFB ODDS: OHIO STATE -38
CFB TOTAL: 60

WHY THE REDHAWKS WILL COVER THE SPREAD

The main reason why this game could be a Miami cover is that Ohio State is playing its last non-conference game of the season. The Big Ten plays nine conference games, unlike some of the other major conferences, which play only eight conference games. Ohio State has played Florida Atlantic and Cincinnati out of conference, so this is the third non-conference game of the year. Every remaining game will be a conference game, so the Buckeyes could very easily be looking ahead to their next opponent.

Ohio State will certainly try to keep the playbook very simple to not give Big Ten teams too much film study to consider. Some boredom might set in for the Buckeyes, who clearly look like one of the top teams in the country.

Miami’s defense could put up a fight in this game – not for the whole 60 minutes, but maybe for a quarter and a half. Miami shut out Cincinnati in the first quarter of last weekend’s game before being overwhelmed late in the second quarter and then throughout the third quarter. If the Redhawks can score 14 points, they might hold Ohio State under 50 points and cover the spread that way.

WHY THE BUCKEYES WILL COVER THE SPREAD

The Buckeyes are loaded, and if you have been paying attention to what they have been doing this season, the Buckeyes don’t fall asleep on defense. Last year’s defense really struggled to maintain focus from one week to the next and to play consistently within each game. This defense isn’t having those problems. Ohio State starts games locked in on defense and it stays that way. They’ve allowed a total of 31 points through three games, which is a big reason why they’re covering the spread as a large favorite this year. They covered each of the past two weeks and as long as the defense is still on task, the offense with Justin Fields at quarterback is far too talented to hold down.

Ohio State should score at least 49 points in this game. It is all a matter of whether the defense shines. If it does, OSU should cover.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE TOTAL

The Ohio State defense is the key to this game in terms of the spread, but also in terms of the total. If the Buckeyes completely smother Miami and do not allow the Redhawks to do anything, you are going to see a second half in which the Buckeyes rest some of their offensive starters and try to shorten the game. That will lead to fewer points for Ohio State and a game which will probably stay under the number.