Sports betting odds list Ohio State as the second choice to win the national championship next season in college football. Alabama is the favorite in sportsbetting at 3.5 to 1 but Ohio State is getting some action at 6.5 to 1.
Sports betting odds may have Ohio State favored in every game in 2010. One of the reasons they will be favored is quarterback Terrelle Pryor. He continues to improve and his head coach Jim Tressler is impressed. “Today I was trying to close my eyes and think back to last spring,” Tressel said “He just seemed to have a little bit more confidence than he did a year ago at this time.” Last season the Buckeyes went 11-2, won the Big 10 and upset Oregon in sportsbetting to win the Rose Bowl.
If Ohio State is to win the national championship this season they will need Pryor to take the next step to become an elite quarterback. He completed 23 of 37 passes for 266 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the sports betting win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl. He also led the team with 72 yards rushing in that game. He has looked very good so far this spring. “People like to use, ‘Did the switch go on?’ or ‘Did the light go on?’ I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that,” said Tressel. “Is the light getting brighter? Yeah. You can see that. Did it take an extra step of brightness through the bowl preparation and bowl performance. I think so. But it’s got to keep getting brighter.”
Ohio State will return 15 starters this season, nine on offense and six on defense. The Buckeyes will have to replace safeties Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell, defensive end Thaddeus Gibson and linebacker Austin Spitler. They have a lot of talent though including Cameron Heyward. “I’m definitely happy with what I’ve done so far, but I’m not satisfied,” Heyward said. “I still want a national championship. I think everybody on this team does. We’ve been there two times before [losses after the 2006 and 2007 seasons], but there’s still a lot to accomplish on this team.” On offense the Buckeyes lost tight end Jake Ballard and tackle Jim Cordle.
Ohio State opens up the season as they play Marshall on September 2nd in a game in which they will be heavily favored in sports betting odds.