Ohio State is 2-0 in two meetings with new rival Maryland since the latter joined the Big Ten a few seasons ago, winning by an average margin of 24 points. But even that margin won’t cut it when the heavily favored Buckeyes invade College Park to take on the Terrapins on Saturday afternoon.
Point spread: The Buckeyes opened as 28-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).
College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 50.6-20.2 Buckeyes (CFB picks on every game)
Why the Ohio State Buckeyes can cover the spread
Ohio State was due for an explosion, and it happened last week in a 62-3 annihilation of Nebraska in Columbus. The Buckeyes took a 7-0 lead a minute-and-a-half into the game on an interception return for a score and rolled from there on their way to an easy cover as 17-point favorites.
On the evening, Ohio State outgained the Cornhuskers (590-204), outrushed them (238-78) and won time of possession by a 37-23 margin in a thorough butt-kicking of a supposedly Top 10 team. The Buckeyes have now outgained and outrushed every opponent but one this season.
Ohio State also owns four victories this year by at least 45 points. At 8-1 overall and 5-1 in conference play, the Buckeyes are still chasing another Big Ten title and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
Why the Maryland Terrapins can cover the spread
The case for Maryland is a little tougher to make. The Terps had given a couple of decent performances in a row, a win over Michigan State and a close loss to Indiana, but now come off a 59-3 beating at the hands of Michigan last week. Maryland trailed 7-0 five minutes into the game, 35-0 at the half and 45-0 before hitting the board on a lost afternoon in Ann Arbor.
The Terrapins are struggling defensively, but on offense they’re averaging nearly 420 yards per game, including 233 per game on the ground. Maryland actually began this season by outrushing its first four opponents, going 4-0 in the process and averaging 42 points per game.
Smart pick
Ohio State just won by 59 points, while Maryland just lost by 56. And while it’s not always wise to base bets on what happened last week, in this case it’s awfully hard to ignore.
Plus, playing on the road means the spread is a little more agreeable toward the Buckeyes; if this game were being played at the Horseshoe, OSU would probably be favored by another touchdown or so. The smart money here on the college football point spreads backs the Buckeyes.
Betting trends
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Maryland’s last 18 games at home.
Maryland is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games after consecutive losses.
Ohio State is 1-4 ATS in its last five games.
All college football betting lines and point-spreads data courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and Odds Shark YouTube for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.
