OSU Buckeyes vs. California Golden Bears Betting Line – Week 3 (2013)
The OSU Buckeyes vs. California Golden Bears betting line for Week 3 (2013) had Ohio State as a -16 point favorite at Sportsbook.com where you can claim your FREE $100 BET HERE.
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: Ohio State -16 & 67
Opening Line & Total: Buckeyes -16.5 & 67.5
No. 4 Ohio State may not have its star quarterback when it makes the long trip west to take on California on Saturday night.
The Buckeyes carry the nation’s longest winning streak at 14 games, but their Heisman trophy candidate, QB Braxton Miller, is questionable with a sprained knee he suffered in last week's game. However, backup QB Kenny Guiton showed he is more than capable of making plays, finishing the game against San Diego State with 235 yards of total offense and three touchdowns. Much like Miller, Guiton is a mobile quarterback that can hurt you both running and throwing the ball. The Buckeyes are 1-1 ATS this season, and in last season’s matchup, the Bears covered the spread in a 35-28 loss in Columbus. Cal RB Brendan Bigelow stole the show in that ATS win. Despite only carrying the ball four times, Bigelow produced touchdown runs of 81 and 59 yards as part of a 160-yard game. He is an explosive athlete with incredible speed and balance, and his ability to run the ball has helped freshman QB Jared Goff burst on to the college football scene. In his first two career games, Goff has thrown for 930 yards, including 485 in his last start in his team's narrow 37-30 victory over FCS school Portland State. At 6-foot-4, Goff has a big arm and he is not afraid to attack the cornerbacks on the perimeter. However, with respect to his opponents, Northwestern and Portland State, Goff will be going up against a different beast in Ohio State.
Urban Meyer has taken Ohio State back to the top of the college world quickly. Just two years ago, the Buckeyes went 6-7 following a loss to Florida in the Gator Bowl. Two years later the Buckeyes are one of the favorites to possibly win the national title and end the run of SEC dominance in the final game. While the Big Ten is a power running style of conference, Meyer has gone against the norm. He has had great success in the past at Bowling Green, Utah and Florida, and it is because of the spread offense, which allows his offense the space to make plays. Meyer has never lost a game in which his team has scored more than 35 points. That could be bad news for the Bears with their porous defense. Buckeyes senior RB Jordan Hall has filled in for the suspended Carlos Hyde nicely, rushing for 234 yards on 6.9 YPC and three touchdowns. WR Devin Smith was the hero last season against Cal, as his 72-yard touchdown reception broke a 28-28 tie with 3:26 left in the game. On defense, the Buckeyes have shown major improvements from last season, giving up just 13.5 PPG. Look for Meyer to test the Bears' freshman quarterback by sending blitzes from everywhere in the game, as Goff has already thrown three interceptions in his first two games.
This will be the second time this season that the Golden Bears face a Big Ten team, as they lost 44-30 on opening night to Northwestern. While Cal's offense has been good this season, the defense has been just the opposite, giving up 37.0 PPG (106th in nation). Where they have really struggled is stopping the run, allowing 5.7 yards per carry. This has been huge as teams are constantly in second and short, allowing them to call nearly any play. Cal must also step up its defense because Ohio State is currently 30th in FBS with 41.0 PPG. Junior DB Kameron Jackson (one interception) has very good speed, and will be key to help limit the big plays for Ohio State. Bigelow has gotten off to a slow start this season, rushing for only 136 yards on 4.1 YPC in the first two games. For the Bears to pull off this huge upset, Bigelow must have another huge game against OSU and take some of the pressure off Goff to win it through the air.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
