Saturday, September 27, 2014

Ohio Stadium in Columbus

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Despite being favored by upwards of two TD's, the Ohio State Buckeyes (2-1) could struggle more than expected against a reloaded Cincinnati team (2-0). The Bearcats have played sparingly so far in this 2014 campaign, but when they have taken the field they've been explosive behind QB Gunner Kiel, who is finally getting a chance to play and proving wrong a lot of doubters.

Kiel wasted little time making his mark on the college football landscape, throwing for 6 TD in his first game action on September 12th, a 58-34 Cincinnati win over Toledo. The 6'4” sophomore followed that up a week later with 4 more TD tosses in a 31-24 win over Miami of Ohio. Kiel is tied for 12th in the country in TD passes after only two games and has averaged 344.5 YPG. The unenviable task of slowing down the Bearcat passing attack falls on the OSU secondary, who welcomes the challenge with the nation's #3 passing defense, amazingly allowing under 100 YPG.

The Buckeyes padded their stats nicely in a 66-0 win over Kent State two weeks ago. That thumping did little to answer the questions that remained after a 35-21 upset loss a week prior to Virginia Tech, basically putting any chance at a National Championship. Even though the sample size is thin, Cincinnati is prone to giving up passing yardage after allowing almost 300 YPG through 2 games. This bodes well for Ohio State QB J.T Barrett who bounced back after a shaky 3 INT performance against the Hokies with 6 TD passes against Kent State.

The in-state universities haven't met since 2006 but Ohio State has won all four previous meetings against Cincinnati. Oddsmakers expect them to do so again as 2TD+ favorites but Kiel and the Bearcats could make this one a must see.

Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Trends

Cincinnati Bearcats are 1-1-0 Against the Spread

Cincinnati Bearcats are 1-1-0 against the Over/Under

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Trends

Ohio State Buckeyes are 2-1-0 Against the Spread

Ohio State Buckeyes are 2-1-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Cincinnati Bearcats

09/18/14 DB Alex Thomas Suspension out indefinitely

Ohio State Buckeyes

09/22/14 OL Jacoby Boren Ankle probable Saturday vs. Cincinnati U
09/22/14 OL Pat Elfein Foot probable Saturday vs. Cincinnati U
09/21/14 TE Jeff Heuerman Foot "?" Saturday vs. Cincinnati U
09/21/14 DL Tracy Sprinkle Suspension "?" Saturday vs. Cincinnati U
09/21/14 LB Trey Johnson Knee "?" Saturday vs. Cincinnati U
09/13/14 DE Noah Spence Suspension out indefinitely
08/28/14 DB Marshon Lattimore Hamstring out for season
08/19/14 QB Braxton Miller Shoulder out for season
08/16/14 DL Dylan Thompson Knee out for season
08/14/14 WR Frank Epitropoulos Personal has left team
08/14/14 LB Kyle Berger ACL out for season

Josh's Pick: Take Ohio State

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