2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Odds and Schedule

The Ohio State football team has had ended its past two college football betting seasons with disappointing losses in the BCS National Championship title game. The Florida Gators embarrassed the Buckeyes 41-14 and SEC rival LSU beat Ohio State by two touchdowns. It seems as if the Ohio State football squads from recent years definitely understand the importance of finishing the college football schedule strong but lacked the discipline needed to kiss the BCS trophy.

That being said, with Ohio State returning almost all of their starters this year, I think it is safe to say that we can expect to see the Buckeyes favored once again in BCS college football odds for 2008. Last year, Ohio State went 7-5 against the spread in college football betting odds and 7-5 in over/unders. The Buckeyes averaged 195.8 passing yards and 203.3 rushing yards per game while allowing opponents 148.2 passing and 80.5 rushing yards per game. If you’re looking for early BCS odds on Ohio State, then visit Sportsbook.com who have the Buckeyes at +400 in odds to win the BCS Championship. Vegas odds to win the 2009 BCS National Game have the Ohio State Buckeyes at 8/1.

2008 Ohio State Offense

When Antonio Pittman entered the NFL draft, the Ohio State offense received a pleasant surprise in sophomore running back Chris Wells who rushed for 5.9 yards per carry for 1,609 yards and 15 touchdowns. Wells also had big games against Michigan with 222 yards (Buckeye record) and in the BCS Title game against LSU with 146 yards rushing. Now in his junior year, Wells will return this season behind All Big Ten senior quarterback Todd Boeckman and a veteran line boasting four of his five offensive linemen from last year. Returning guards Ben Person and Mike Brewster missed playing spring ball with injuries but are expected to start along with freshman tackle Mike Adams and center/guard Mike Brewster.

The wide receiver tandem of Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline will also be factor for many defenses to deal with. Robiskie led Ohio State with 55 catches for 935 yards and 11 touchdowns and Hartline followed his lead with 52 receptions for 694 yards and 6 touchdowns. However if either of them get injured, Ohio State will be at a loss in college football betting without a standout third receiver.

2008 Ohio State Defense

As with many previous college football years, Ohio State was almost impenetrable on defense in 2007. The Buckeyes were ranked #1 nationally in points allowed per game with 12.8. Defensively, the Buckeyes were nearly invincible in college football betting last season. Ohio State ranked first nationally in points allowed per game (12.8), passing yards allowed per game (150.2) and total yards per game (233). They were also third nationally in rushing yards allowed per game (82.9). With the 4-3 defense that Ohio State plays; linebackers James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman will have plenty of opportunity to apply pressure on many offenses again this season. Laurinaitis and Freeman will have 4 of their returning starters back behind them including Thorpe Award candidate Malcom Jenkins, Donald Washington and safeties Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell.

2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Prediction

The Ohio State Buckeyes have a total of nine starters returning on offense and defense which includes a few All American candidates but more importantly, they have head coach Jim Tressel. Although the team has lacked discipline in the championship game for the past two years, Trussel already has one national title and knows how to get Ohio State in contention again. If Wells can control his history of fumbling, then the Ohio State football program should have the opportunity to wash away embarrassments from years past in the 2009 National title game.

2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule