CFB Lines: It looks like 2014 won’t be “Miller Time” in Columbus as the Buckeyes star quarterback is out for the season with a shoulder injury suffered in training camp. High expectations before Miller’s injury had penciled Ohio State into one of the four playoff spots but that talk, as well as hope for a Big Ten title has been silenced for now. The Midshipmen of Navy return with an experienced lineup that should be confident and potentially dangerous after a 9-4 season last year in which they went bowling for the 10th time in 12 years.
The Ohio State Buckeyes will face the Navy Midshipmen on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, home of the NFL Baltimore Ravens, with coverage on CBSSN starting at noon ET. BetDSI opened with Ohio State as a 14 point favorite.
Two for One at QB?
Redshirt freshman JT Barrett is expected to get the start at QB and has been praised for his grasping of the Ohio State offensive schemes and decision making. Sophomore QB Cardale Jones is more of a pounding runner than smooth passer which has brought up comparisons of head coach Urban Meyer’s 2006 Florida team that won the national championship with a two QB system in which Chris Leak was the passer and Tim Tebow was the runner. Another concern is an offensive line that lost four multi-year starters. Meyer believes he has the most skill on his roster since taking over in 2012. Ohio State has covered 19 out of their last 30 games as a favorite away from home. Chris Ash was brought in to partner with Luke Fickell as co-defensive coordinator after the unit proved to be a weakness last year.
Outmanned but Never Outworked
There is no doubt that the Navy Midshipmen are outmanned for this matchup but their heart and determination is legendary. Seventh year head coach Ken Niumatalolo has had just one losing season on the job and has an option offense that strikes fear into opponents. Junior QB Keenan Reynolds returns with seven other starters on offense after rushing for 1500 yards last year while seven starters return on defense. Navy has covered just two out of their last six neutral site games.
Our Pick
The public will be weary of Ohio State now that Miller is out but that means a lower price and a contrarian call on Ohio State in this one.
