NCAA Football Betting – Marshall vs Ohio State

In pursuit of a National Championship, the Ohio State Buckeyes open their NCAA Football betting season this Thursday when the Marshall Thundering Herd visit Ohio Stadium. But coming into this one as a heavy favorite, should the Buckeyes be your pick?

Marshall Thundering Herd (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS) at Ohio State Buckeyes (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS):
Thursday, September 2, 7:30 p.m. Big 10 Network

NCAAF Betting Lines:

Marshall: +28 ½
Ohio State: -28 ½
Total Points: 47 ½ 

While everyone will talk about Terrelle Pryor and this Ohio State offense coming into this matchup, it’s the Buckeyes defense that will carry them toward a potential title.

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Several starters are back off last year’s unit, one that ranked in the top five in scoring defense, total defense and rushing defense. All-American defensive end Cameron Heyward is back to lead this team into the NCAA Football betting odds, after turning down NFL riches. He is backed by a pair of phenomenal linebackers Ross Homan and Brian Rolle, and one of the deepest secondary’s in football. This unit was phenomenal down the stretch last season, allowing 10 points or less in four of their last five regular season games.

Not to be outdone, the Buckeyes offense returns plenty of talent too, and was a big reason for Ohio State’s excellent 11-2 record (10-3 ATS). We all know about quarterback Terrelle Pryor, and with good reason, the junior is a potential Heisman Trophy candidate. Last year he threw for 2,094 and 18 touchdowns. Running backs Brandon Saine and Daniel “Boom,” Herron will get the bulk of the carries for the Buckeyes, and will be a terror for Marshall in Thursday’s NCAA Football betting odds.

Speaking of Marshall, they enter the NCAA Football betting off a disappointing 7-6 season last year, where they finished just 7-5 ATS. New coach Doc Holliday takes over this program, buy luckily, the cupboard hasn’t been left bare.
Senior quarterback Brian Anderson is back to lead this offense, off a junior season in which he tossed for 2,646 yards and 14 touchdowns. His top target is back as well, sophomore Antavious Wilson, who grabbed 60 balls in 2009. Despite Marshall’s 7-6 record, this defense wasn’t all that bad last year, but must improve in the passing game. They ranked 99th in the country in pass defense in 2009.

So with all that, who should be your NCAA Football Betting pick on Thursday? Take Marshall.

We’re not saying the Thundering Herd will win, because quite frankly they won’t. But at the same time, there are a lot of reasons to think they’re going to cover Thursday evening’s point spread.

For starters, this team may have lost five games last year, but three of them were by a touchdown or less. Also, expect this defense to be improved. They return several starters, and Ohio State probably won’t take advantage of the one place that the Thundering Herd can be exposed, in the secondary.

Finally, there’s Ohio State themselves. This is a proud program, but a smart one too. And with Miami (FL) coming to town in Week 2, they’re not going to reveal all that much of their offense or defense schemes. Expect Jim Tressel to keep things close to the “vest,” and for the Buckeyes to win a comfortable, if not dramatic game.

College football betting season is upon us, and with it, now is the time to get in your wagers. Take Marshall getting over four touchdowns, in Thursday night’s action!

Aaron’s Pick: Marshall +28 ½