Ohio State Football: The Buckeyes Will Win Big Against California

Ohio State is laying 16.5 points against California for the contest between the two schools on Saturday. I'm not a betting man, but if I were, I would tell you to lay those points and roll with the Buckeyes.

It's going to be a blowout.

For one, the Cal defense isn't exactly stout. It has allowed 31 points to both Nevada (in a loss) and Southern Utah. It's already given up 821 yards, and now the team faces Braxton Miller and the Ohio State rushing attack, which is averaging 275 yards per game on the ground.

Oh, and the Buckeyes are averaging 43.5 points per game. So basically what I'm saying is that this will be a shootout, right? 

Hold your horses. Ohio State is allowing just 13 points and 332 yards per game this season. It has won the time of possession battle in both games it has played. It will be the best defense Cal has seen yet this year.

There's more. California does not travel well, going just 7-10 on the road in the past three seasons. And most of those games are in-conference, not jaunts across the country into a new time zone, where a noon start will feel like nine in the morning for the Golden Bears.

And Cal is likely to run out a 46 defense against the Buckeyes to slow down MIller and the Ohio State running game, meaning there will be plays out there to be had in the passing game. If Miller can hit his receivers down the field for some long touchdowns, look out—the Buckeyes are going to run up the score.

What else can I tell you? That Miller is the best player on either team? That Urban Meyer will have plenty of wrinkles ready to go for the California defense? That Ohio State is simply the better team? That the Buckeyes have lost just seven home games since 2002?

If you are a betting man, go ahead and take the points. If you are a California fan, brace yourself. 

And if you are an Ohio State fan, well, enjoy your Saturday afternoon. It should be fun.

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