Written by :
Published on :
In our Ohio State Buckeyes preview, we should point out that the Buckeyes have been ranked #3 in the 2008 USA Today Coaches Poll. Likewise, odds makers at SBG Global have given this team +450 odds of winning the 2009 BCS Championship - That would amount to a $450 payout on every $100 bet.
Coach Jim Tressel enters the season trying to lick the program's wounds of consecutive losses in the national championship game at the hands of Florida and LSU, according to Athlon Sports.
The knock now is that the Buckeyes still aren't dynamic enough to beat a stellar SEC team and that their conference, the Big Ten, doesn't prepare them for bowl season, that magazine points out in its own Ohio State Buckeyes preview.
Interestingly enough, Florida was listed with longer odds to win the 2009 BCS Championship at +650. LSU had much longer odds at +1800. (See More Odds Here)
"I think if you look at our conference top to bottom, we fared very well," Tressel says. "I have to admit I don't root for Michigan a whole bunch, but I was very happy when they won the Capital One Bowl there against Florida and kind of quieted things, at least for three hours."
Athlon also made this bold prediction:
Ohio State manages to escape Los Angeles with a win, watch out. The Buckeyes have lost only two Big Ten games in the last three seasons, and it doesn't appear archrival Michigan is ready to challenge that supremacy just yet. However, another night test at Wisconsin on Oct. 4 looms.
Point-Spreads.com believes that the Buckeyes quarterback is one of the primary keys to improve Ohio State's odds of winning the 2009 BCS Championship:
Offensively, it will be senior quarterback Todd Boeckman leading the charge for the Buckeyes. In first season as starter (2007), led Big Ten and ranked 13th nationally with a pass efficiency rating of 148.9 while ranking third in the conference with 25 passing TDs to lead OSU to a third straight title. In his career, Boeckman has completed 190 of 298 passing attempts for 2,372 yards and 25 touchdowns.
It is important to remember - as ESPN.com points out- that the Buckeyes have 18 starters back from an 11-2 team. Their biggest worries in spring practice were who would take over at right tackle and fullback. Rough life. And then, in the coup de grace, came the perfect gift: The top high school player in the nation.
The talent and depth is amazing. Traditionally, quarterbacks make big improvements in their second full year of starting, which bodes well for Boeckman. With a horse like (Beanie) Wells at his disposal, experienced receivers, and a veteran line in front, he doesn't need to try and do too much.
The addition of Pryor and emphasis on using backs such as Saine in the passing game will be interesting to watch. Will the Buckeyes stick to this plan?
Defensively, the front needs to step up. But with all four tackles and three experienced ends returning, that should happen. Laurinaitis, Freeman and Jenkins are All-America caliber, and again, the defense has incredible depth. No question, this is the favorite to win the Big Ten, which would be the first time a team has won three straight outright league championships.
"Anyone who believes the Ohio State Buckeyes can win the 2009 BCS Championship, this is the time to place that pivotal bet," states Don Shapiro of Gambling911.com. "At +450 odds, they are nearly a steal."
-----
Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
