College football betting players have watched Ohio State go 0-9 against the SEC in bowl games, and the Buckeyes will get a chance to break that duck when they head into the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans to take on Arkansas, who are making their first BCS appearance.
Sugar Bowl Betting – Tuesday, January 4th, 8:30 PM ET
The No.6 Buckeyes (11-1) shared the Big Ten title with Michigan State and Wisconsin, and their lone blip was a loss in Madison to the Badgers, but they didn’t play the Spartans. Terrelle Pryor leads the No.20 offense in the country, but running back Dan Herron is a big part of that as well and allows the Buckeyes to use some play-action passes. As usual, the defense is the power of the team as the Buckeyes are second in the country on that side of the ball, and they’re deep and experienced in the secondary. The front seven has been bolstered by a healthy Ross Homan, and you can’t forget about end Cameron Heyward, a future NFL pick.
The No.8 Razorbacks (10-2) lost only at home to Alabama and at Auburn, and their six-game winning streak to end the SEC season included three wins over ranked teams, and two of those were on the road. Pivot Ryan Mallett sparks the No.3 aerial attack in the country, and he’ll have some insight on Ohio State after playing for their bitter rival, Michigan. Don’t sleep on Knile Davis, who ran for almost 1,200 yards. The defense is 33rd in the country, and outside of allowing 65 at Auburn, the Razorbacks didn’t give up more than 24 points in regulation (they gave up 31 against Mississippi State in double overtime). No one had Arkansas here before the season started, but they should get some sportsbook promo now.
The Buckeyes are a 3.5-point betting favorite in the Sugar Bowl, even with their record against the SEC and their recent BCS woes. Ohio State had lost three BCS games in a row before last year’s Rose Bowl win over Oregon, and two of those were romps at the hand of the SEC in title games. The Razorbacks shouldn’t be worried about the big stage after their season in the SEC, but their talented receiving core has their hands full against a very good Ohio State secondary. If a line that has been suspect at times this season can’t give Mallet time, Arkansas is going to be in trouble because the OSU secondary will be all over the wideouts, meaning there will be no quick throws. We’re giving a slight edge to the Buckeyes because of their conservative, mistake-free offense and a rock-solid defense.
Gambling Advisor free pick: Ohio State -3.5
