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The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (2-0) and the Ohio State Buckeyes (2-0) meet Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET (FOX). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Western Kentucky vs. Ohio State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Hilltoppers racked up a 41-24 victory in Bowling Green against South Florida, covering a 13-point number as the Under (71.5) cashed. WKU then took care of Houston Christian of the FCS by a 52-22 score as the Over (63.5) cashed, failing to cover as 42.5-point favorites.
The Buckeyes scraped by Indiana in the opener 23-3, but never threatened to cover the 30-point spread as the Under (59.5) cashed. Ohio State bounced Youngstown State of the FCS by a 35-7 score, again failing to cover as a 44.5-point favorite as the Under (57.5) easily connected.
Ohio State is No. 4 in the US LBM Coaches Poll.
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Western Kentucky at Ohio State odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:41 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Western Kentucky +1600 (bet $100 to win $1,600) | Ohio State -4500 (bet $4,500 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Western Kentucky +29.5 (-110) | Ohio State -29.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 64.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Western Kentucky at Ohio State picks and predictions
Prediction
Ohio State 41, Western Kentucky 27
Moneyline
Ohio State (-4500) is way too expensive, and it is never a good idea to bet such a heavy favorite, straight up or in a multi-team parlay.
And the way the Buckeyes have played, particularly on offense, makes Western Kentucky (+1600) look like an attractive play for a potential upset.
However, the Hilltoppers will come up short, mainly because the Ohio State defense has been suffocating, and WKU won’t have nearly the same kind of success on offense as it did against USF and HCU.
PASS.
Against the spread
WESTERN KENTUCKY +29.5 (-110) is a great play catching 4 TDs in its first visit to “The Shoe”.
The Hilltoppers are averaging 449.0 total yards per game on offense, including 327.0 passing yards per outing. The latter ranks 12th in the nation, and WKU is 14th overall with 46.5 points per game (PPG). The Hilltoppers will score points Saturday, and it will put a scare into Ohio State -29.5 (-105).
Over/Under
OVER 64.5 (-115) is a solid play in this non-conference battle.
While Ohio State has been sharp on the defensive side of the football, it hasn’t met a pass-happy team and high-octane offense like Western Kentucky. Don’t laugh. Indiana and Youngstown State aren’t exactly a murderer’s row. The defense has handled its business, and can only play the teams in front of them. But the Hilltoppers are a fast, up-tempo offense, and it will be the biggest test to date for the Buckeyes. Expect plenty of points on both sides.
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