NCAAF Picks: The Ohio State Buckeyes were picked to win the Big Ten Conference championship and contend for the national championship but an injury to Heisman Trophy candidate Braxton Miller took away their top quarterback and best offensive threat and their defense has continued to struggle against the rush. The Cincinnati Bearcats are looking extremely weak on defense and they are becoming a one-dimensional team that is relying far too heavily on QB Gunner Kiel.
The Ohio State Buckeyes (-15.5) will host the Cincinnati Bearcats at Ohio Stadium on Saturday night with coverage on Big Ten Network starting at 6 PM ET.
Kiel the Real Deal?
Gunner Kiel triggers one of the top passing attacks in the country with a 66% completion rate at 9.1 yards per attempt and a 10-2 TD-INT ratio. MeKale McKay is averaging 17.9 yards per catch with three TD’s. Cincinnati is 2-0 straight up, 1-1 against the spread with a 1-1 mark on totals. Cincy is coming off a 31-24 home win over Miami of Ohio as a 30 point chalk.
Can Barrett Deliver
Ohio State QB JT Barrett has had mixed results in taking over for Miller with a 9-5 TD-INT ratio and a completion rate under 60 percent. The Buckeyes are 2-1 SU, 2-1 ATS, and 2-1 over the total. Ohio State ranks 89th in the nation for rushing defense but does rank third against the pass, which matches up well against Cincinnati.
Matchup and Pick
Cincinnati has been a solid board value on the road as of late with 10 payouts in their last 15 road games as four out of their last six away games have gone under the total. Ohio State has been subpar with the spread in home matchups as they have paid out in just nine out of their last 20 games at The Shoe with five out of their last six home games going over the total. Ohio State got the money in their last two home games with Cincinnati with both games going under the total. Ohio State and Urban Meyer will not want to give any quarter to an over-matched intrastate opponent that they will be recruiting against. Ohio State (-15.5) and under is the call.
