Kent State at Ohio State

Ohio State just lost to Texas, but the number in Columbus today says everything about how this one is expected to go: the Buckeyes are set as one of the week's biggest favorites. Kent State was shut out 57-0 by South Carolina two weeks ago and followed that with a win over an FCS opponent that tells us little about facing a defense like Ohio State's, even with starting right tackle Phillip Daniels and starting defensive end Zion Grady both considered unlikely to play after injuries against Texas. The talent gap here doesn't require Ohio State at full strength to hold up. In games with a spread this lopsided, the total usually gets capped rather than inflated, because a big early lead means backups take over well before the fourth quarter, and Kent State's offense, which managed nothing against a defense of similar caliber two weeks ago, has no path to keeping pace on its own. Ohio State has no incentive to keep its foot down once this is decided, and Kent State has shown no ability to compete regardless. Back the UNDER.