This weekend, US online sportsbook fanatics will be able to witness 2 of the greatest rivalries the NCAA has ever known. The Florida Gators will host the Georgia Bulldogs to bring us the latest chapter of this thrilling rivalry. Later on, sports betting sites and fans alike will be tuning in for another, perhaps even more enticing rivalry between Penn State and Ohio State. Don’t get it wrong: both rivalries are equally storied. But, considering each program’s individual talents, the matchup between Penn State and Ohio State should prove to be infinitely more exhilarating. What do NCAA odds-makers have to say about it?
Betting Penn State
The Nittany Lions come into this weekend’s contest flaunting a pristine 7-0 record that ranks the program 1st in Big Ten East standings. Penn State has been practically uncontested this season, with their closest win coming against the Iowa Hawkeyes, 21-19. The Nittany Lions haven’t had any issues dealing with conference opponents this season either, as Penn State’s 4-0 record in conference play cements them as the top dog in the Big Ten. But the Nittany Lions aren’t just the top dog in the SEC as the school comes into this Saturday’s contest flashing a No. 2 nationwide rankings. It’s been a while since this program has enjoyed this type of success and ultimately if Penn State’s success teaches us anything it’s that winning can make people forget just about anything. Despite their long accomplishments on the season, US online sportsbooks are still siding against the undefeated Nittany Lions this weekend. While this might be surprising to some, it only makes a bet on Penn State even more lucrative for fans looking to back their team in this heated rivalry.
Betting Ohio State
The Buckeyes make their way into this Week 9 matchup sporting a 6-1 record that includes a 4-0 record in conference play. Unfortunately for Ohio State, the Big Ten race is as tight as ever this year and even one loss on the year throws you out of the top spot. Ohio State is currently tied with Michigan State for the No. 2 spot in Eastern Division. The Buckeyes are riding a 5-game winning streak into this rivalry and are coming off a bigly 56-14 win over Nebraska that further validated this Ohio State team both offensively and defensively.
Looking over the numbers, it’s clear that this contest will come down to the wire. The Buckeyes offense is averaging 47.3 points per game which is very similar to the 40.0 that Penn State’s O is putting up. On defense both teams are equally elite; the Nittany Lions allot an eye-raising 9.6 points per game while the Buckeyes opponents are only scoring 15.4. There’s a slightly larger difference when it comes to yards. Penn State is gaining 463.3 yards per game while giving up 282.9 yards defensively. Ohio State’s offense generally puts up 577.3 yards per outing while their opponents gain 305.3. While the best sportsbook online odds might leave you to believe otherwise, these two teams are practically neck-and-neck from a statistical point of view. While it might be a nightmare to predict, it will be a thrill to watch.
Best Sportsbook Online Betting Lines & Odds:
Penn State Nittany Lions +7 (-130) 57 (-110) +205
Ohio State Buckeyes -7 (+110) 57 (-110) -245
