The Ohio State Buckeyes survived a minor scare to open their season last week against Buffalo but couldn't cover the spread as big home favorites.
They're big chalk again for their game against the San Diego State Aztecs Saturday afternoon at the Horseshoe in Columbus (3:30 pm ET, ABC/ESPN2).
In the early betting the Buckeyes, who let the Bulls get to within 30-20 last Saturday and failed to cover at -34, were favored by 28 points over the Aztecs, who opened their season by getting upset by Eastern Illinois.
This week, they opened as 24-point chalk, but were bet to 4 TDs by Tuesday, watch for line moves this week.
San Diego State is 5-1 ATS their past six games as a double-digit dog, while the Buckeyes are 1-6 ATS in their past seven games in their role as double-digit chalk.
View San Diego State vs Ohio State Odds and Stats.
Betting Line: Ohio State were sitting as 24-point favorites earlier in the week at Sportsbook but bet quickly up to 28 points. The total was 54 mid-week at Sportsbook.
Power Rankings / Prediction: According to the Power Rankings here at OddsShark it's the No. 52-rated Buckeyes and the No. 87-rated Aztecs in this matchup. Predictive formulas point to a 50-9 win for the Buckeyes on Saturday.
How They Match Up:
The game also pits Ohio State's No. 31-ranked offense, averaging 40 PPG, against a Aztecs defense that ranks No. 98 this week at 40 PPG. The Buckeyes aerial game is averaging 199 yards per game, less than the Aztecs secondary allows through the air, 361 YPG per game.
San Diego State was a 40-19 loser in their most recent outing at home against Eastern Illinois. They failed to cover the 14-point spread as favorites, while the total score (59) made Sportsbooks of UNDER bettors. Adam Dingwell led the way last time out for the Aztecs, connecting for 318 passing yards, but failing to earn the victory in a 40-19 loss to the Aztecs at Qualcomm Stadium.
Last time out for Ohio State, they were a 40-20 Sportsbook as they battled Buffalo at home. Ohio State failed to cover in the match as a 33.5-point favorite, while 60 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors. Jordan Hall tore up the turf for 159 rushing yards in the latest Buckeyes game, a 40-20 win over the Bulls at Ohio Stadium.
San Diego State Aztecs Trends:
When playing in September are 6-4
When playing on turf are 7-3
After being outgained are 8-2
When playing outside the conference are 4-6
Ohio State Buckeyes Trends:
When playing in September are 9-1
When playing on turf are 10-0
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When playing outside the conference are 8-2
A few Aztecs at Buckeyes trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Diego State's last 6 games
San Diego State is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
San Diego State is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Ohio State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Ohio State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Ohio State is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games at home
Next up:
San Diego State home to Oregon State, Saturday, September 21
Ohio State at California, Saturday, September 14
