At the onset of the season, the Ohio State Buckeyes are labeled as the best team that money can buy. Head coach Ryan Day needs every advantage that he can get. Following three consecutive Betting on College Football losses to the Michigan Wolverines, Day must deliver a win over the Maize and Blue. Also, it’s necessary to win the Big Ten and have a serious look at the national championship. At any other school, Day would be celebrated as among the best in history. But at Ohio State, he is considered second class.
Akron Zips vs. Ohio State Buckeyes NCAAF Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Saturday, August 31, 2024, 3:30 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. |
| TV Coverage: | CBS |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | +50 -110 | 58½ -110 | – |  |
| Ohio State | -50 -110 | 58½ -110 | – | |
| ||||
Akron Zips Team Overview
The Zips are making slow sports betting gains under coach Joe Moorhead. Although the program lost ten games last season, five came by one score, including an overtime loss at Indiana and a three-point road defeat at Eastern Michigan in late November.
Taking a big step forward in Moorhead’s third season will hinge on how far the offense develops. Last year, Akron finished near the bottom of the MAC in scoring in back-to-back years. NC State/California transfer quarterback Ben Finley is expected to start under center. Still, this unit is filled with uncertainty on the line (just one starter back). And the skill positions after losing running back Lorenzo Lingard and receivers Daniel George and Jasaiah Gathings.
Ohio State Buckeyes Team Overview
Day was a shell of himself at the end of the 2023 season. He was tired of losing to Michigan, and the misery an Ohio State coach suffers for doing so. He was sick of being underappreciated and hearing about the Wolverines. Instead of moping and pouting, Day came out fighting. Ohio State is coming off an impressive spring football camp. Now, fans are discussing revenge against Michigan and a possible national championship.
Following the loss to Michigan, Ryan Day made some tough decisions. First was parting ways with quarterback Kyle McCord. Will Howard, who helped lead Kansas State to the 2022 Big 12 championship, transferred in and is the new starter for Ohio State this fall.
There’s no question the Buckeyes have one of the elite rosters in college football. The returning players are hungry, the skill is awe-inspiring, and even the coaching staff has been beefed up. Of course, an October away tilt at Oregon will be a daunting task. That matchup is symbolic of the new 18-team Big Ten. If the offensive line develops and quarterback Will Howard provides steady play under center, Ohio State could be playing for the national title in January.
But Day’s biggest problem is long gone. Specifically, Jim Harbaugh will not be on the Michigan sidelines anymore to torment Day. Harbaugh took his antics and somewhat tainted national championship resume to the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers. Thus, Harbaugh left behind a Michigan program that is a mere shell of its former championship self.
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has steadily built his 4-2-5 defense. Now he has all the pieces in place. Every listed starter has played meaningful football, and 10 are upperclassmen.
Akron at Ohio State SBG Free Picks
In this situation, look for Ohio State to make a strong Betting on College Football statement against an overmatched opponent.
Akron at Ohio State SBG Best Bet: Ohio State Buckeyes.