Ohio State Buckeyes vs Washington Huskies Point Spread Picks

Ohio State had an season-opening 14-7 win over Texas, but then the Buckeyers reverted to their usual weak non-conference schedule and destroyed FCS Grambling State and Ohio University. Now they have to go on the road and play undefeated Washington, which comes off a 59-24 rout of Washington State. Demond Williams Jr. completed 16 of 19 for 298 yards and four TDs with no interceptions for the Huskies and he also ran for 88 yards on 13 carries. Jonah Coleman and Denzel Boston had a combined 15 catches for 147 yards. Washington has won 20 straight home games and 15 of 18 September games overall. Ohio State has gone UNDER seven of 10 Saturday games and Washington is 6-1 UNDER in Week 5. The Buckeyes have allowed only 16 points this season and the Huskies have yielded 18.3 points per game. Washington is #9 in the country in run defense. Take Washington and the UNDER.

ROSE BOWL - Washington is a touchdown underdog, but a strong all-around team at No. 9 in the nation, and well-coached under Chris Petersen. They are playing on familiar Pac-12 turf in the Rose Bowl. The Huskies have balance on offense with four-year starting QB Jake Browning and RB Myles Gaskin (1,147 yards). And the defense ranks fifth in the FBS in points allowed (15.5), #12 in total yards surrendered, #16 against the run. Washington is on a 10-3 run UNDER the total, including 9-1 UNDER against winning teams, plus 10-4 UNDER on natural grass. They match up well with an Ohio State defense that gives up big plays and has allowed 200 points over the past six games. Ohio State fell short of the College Football Playoff championship and is 3-11 ATS after four or more consecutive victories, as well as 0-8 ATS after five or more straight wins. The Buckeyes are also 7-3 UNDER the total in Bowl games and Washington coach Petersen is 23-9 UNDER when facing teams that have a winning percentage of .750 or greater. Back the dog in a close, defensive duel and play both Washington and the UNDER.

Some very storied programs have had a rough go of it early in 2007. Michigan and Notre Dame are 0-2. Could Ohio State be the next powerhouse to lose? Maybe! This is their first real test and they certainly didn't look dominant last week. They beat Akron 20-2 but they were laying 28 points. They coughed up the ball five times and led by only one point at halftime. Their defense looks good but they have beat up on lowly Akron and Youngstown State. The stats at this point are fairly meaningless. This week they get a real test from upstart Washington who easily handled #22 Boise State 24-10 last week. They snapped BSU's 14 game winning streak (was the longest in CFB). This team seems to have turned a corner under the motivated Ty Willingham (still bitter about the Notre Dame gig). This is Washington's (and Willingham's) big chance to make a huge statement. This stadium is going to be absolutely rocking and the Washington players are going to be as hyped as you can imagine for this opportunity to knock off a Top 10 team. They are on an emotional high and we think that translates into high-confidence and inspired play in this game. Ohio State is 7-3 vs. Washington all time but just 2-3 at Husky Stadium. The Huskies are 3-1 SU and ATS in their last four as home dogs and 17-4 ATS in their last twenty one September games vs. non-conference foes. We like the motivated and talented Huskies here getting four at home.