Western Michigan at Ohio State odds, picks and predictions
By Kevin Erickson,
2024-09-06
The Western Michigan Broncos (0-1) and Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0) meet at Ohio Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Western Michigan vs. Ohio Stateodds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Western Michigan offered surprisingly stiff resistance in the opener at the Wisconsin Badgers last Friday. After a scoreless 1st quarter, the Broncos trailed just 10-7 at the break. Western Michigan actually took a 14-13 lead with 14:15 to go in the 4th quarter before the Badgers stormed back for 2 TD runs to put a bow on the scoring.
Still, WMU had 120 rushing yards on the road against a Big Ten foe, while posting 141 yards through the air. The Broncos and Badgers each had 1 sack apiece, and Western was minus-1 in turnover differential.
For Ohio State, it faced a MAC opponent, too, and it got off to a sluggish start. Lowly Akron actually led 3-0 midway through the 1st quarter, and Ohio State led only 10-3 until late in the 2nd quarter. Then, the Buckeyes poured it on, battering the Zips for a 52-6 win. Akron covered as 49-point ‘dogs, however.
New Buckeyes QB Will Howard, who transferred in from Kansas State, threw 3 TDs in his debut, with 2 going to 5-star true freshman WR Jeremiah Smith.
Ohio State is No. 2 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports.
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Against the spread (ATS): Western Michigan +37.5 (-105) | Ohio State -37.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 54.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Western Michigan at Ohio State picks and predictions
Prediction
Ohio State 41, Western Michigan 17
There was no money line at the time of publishing, but it wouldn’t be worth pursuing even if one is released before kickoff.
Back WESTERN MICHIGAN +37.5 (-105) with the points, as the Broncos were impressive enough at Wisconsin last week, and they shouldn’t be fazed about playing at The Horseshoe against a top-tier team.
Ohio State -37.5 (-115) has an embarrassment of riches at a multitude of positions, going 3- and 4-deep at some positions. However, chemistry is an issue, and the team is still working through some of that. Until the Buckeyes mesh and get on the same page for 60 full minutes, back the big underdogs, when applicable.
The OVER 54.5 (-115) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most here.
We’re banking on the Broncos have a modicum of success, especially early on. The Buckeyes will move the ball well, and that defense is stout. But Akron had some splash plays, and Western should, too.
It might take a late 4th-quarter score like last week to flip the total to Over, though, so be cognizant of that, and don’t get too carried away.
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