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Ohio State Has Another Statement Win Over Michigan State; CFP Title Odds Improve to +550

Ryan Bolta

by Ryan Bolta in College Football

Updated Jan 6, 2023 · 2:59 AM PST

Brutus Buckeye celebrates an Ohio State touchdown
It was another long night of celebrating for the Ohio State offense against Michigan State / Photo by Ohio State Buckeyes (wikipedia) [CC License].
  • Ohio State beat Michigan State 34-10 Saturday night in Columbus
  • The Buckeyes are now listed as the 3rd most likely team to win the National Championship behind Alabama & Clemson
  • Read analysis below to see if Ohio State is a smart bet for a national title

Another Saturday night, another dominant victory for the Buckeyes.

This time it was a 34-10 win over Michigan State that has Ohio State once again improving their National Championship Odds.

2020 CFP National Championship Odds

Team Odds
Alabama +275
Clemson +275
Ohio State +550
Georgia +700
LSU +700
Oklahoma +900
Florida +2000
Wisconsin +2500
Penn State +3300
Michigan +4000
Utah +4000

*odds taken 10/06

I think the time is now to bet on the Buckeyes, before their odds look more like the +275 being offered on Alabama and Clemson. The reason I like Ohio State so much? Three players in particular who all had big games against the Spartans.

Justin Fields Continues to Make Heisman Case

Fields was 17-for-25 for 206 yards and two passing touchdowns. He also added 61 more yards on the ground and a score, his third TD of the night. On the season that makes it 26 total touchdowns and only one turnover. That’s quarterback play at an elite level.

Saturday’s performance in particular has fans in Columbus excited because of the opponent. Michigan State is known for their defense and it was Fields’ first real crack at competition that could hang with Ohio State. The numbers may not look like the video game stats he put up earlier in the year (remember the six-TD quarter against Miami of Ohio?) but he looks confident and solid. With this defense, that may be all the Buckeyes need.

Chase Young Impresses yet Again

Breathe easy Buckeyes fans, Chase Young is okay. It looked like Young may have suffered a shoulder injury but a late game report confirmed he’s going to be just fine. That’s good news for Young and Ohio State as the defensive end will be one of the first names called by Roger Goodell at the 2020 NFL draft, largely because of performances like Saturday night.

While he only notched two tackles, two assists and 0.5 sacks, he was dominant all game long. He required double teams which freed up teammates to make plays, like Baron Browning’s unimpeded sack, and generally wreaked havoc on Michigan State.

Young now has 8.5 sacks on the year, which is more than 33 different Division 1 schools. It really has been an embarrassment of riches at the edge rush position at Ohio State. The Buckeyes had Joey Bosa drafted third overall, Nick Bosa second overall and now Young could equal or ever surpass that. Expect him to continue to stake his claim as the best defensive player in college football as the season wears on.

Two Dominant Players Wearing #2 In Columbus

Chase Young wears number 2 on the defensive side of the ball, but when the offense takes the field it’s JK Dobbins dawning that jersey. He rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown against Michigan State, giving him seven scores on the season. The Buckeyes outgained the Spartans 323 to 67 on the ground, with Dobbins equalimg those 67 yards on just one play.

Last season Dobbins had 1,053 yards on 230 carries. This season he just passed the half way mark to the total, picking up his 116th carry on his final play of the game and he’s already rushed for 826 yards. He’s one of the best backs in the country and gives an already loaded offense another weapon which could come in handy should Ohio State make the playoff.

Betting the Buckeyes a Smart Play

I’m a fan of betting on the Buckeyes to win their second National Championship since the creation of the college football playoff, but even if you aren’t ready to pull that trigger yet, consider taking them game by game. They didn’t cover in their opener against Florida Atlantic, but since then it’s five straight wins against the spread. They covered the number beating Cincinnati by 42, Indiana by 41, Miami of Ohio by 71, Nebraska by 41 and Michigan State by 24.

See a pattern? So do I. Bet on Ohio State one way or another before the odds move to a position that makes it tougher to do so.

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