Maryland Terrapins vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Odds, College Football Pick

Defending national champion Ohio State owns an 18-game winning streak, but its reputation is making it a bad bet as the Buckeyes have lost their last four games against the spread. OSU is big chalk, again, for Saturday's Big Ten bash with Maryland at the Horseshoe.

Point spread: The Buckeyes opened as 28.5-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 51.9-19.7 Buckeyes

Why the Maryland Terrapins can cover the spread

Maryland started this season 2-1 both straight up and ATS but has lost its last two, including a 28-0 decision at Michigan last week. The Terps, as two-touchdown dogs, only trailed the Wolverines by six points well into the third quarter, as the defense did what it could to keep things close, but it got no help from the offense and faded.

UM is having a real problem at quarterback, and it's affecting the whole team. The Terps can't convert on third down, and it's putting too much pressure on the defense. If Maryland could just get better play from the quarterback position and move the chains a few times, its defense could help it stay in games.

Finally, the Terps are catching an Ohio State team that isn't quite clicking at the moment. And so far this college football betting season, unranked teams are 50-38 ATS against ranked teams. If they could just put up 14 to 17 points the Terrapins could take the cash Saturday.

Why the Ohio State Buckeyes can cover the spread

OSU is 5-0 on the season after holding off Indiana last week 34-27. The Buckeyes spotted the Hoosiers the first 10 points of the game, but slowly took control, as running back Ezekiel Elliott went off for 274 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. Ohio State got within one score of pushing the spread as 21-point road chalk with 10 minutes to go but couldn't quite finish the deal.

The Buckeyes outgained Indiana 517-402, while overcoming three turnovers.

Ohio State opened this season with a victory/cover at Virginia Tech, and while it's still undefeated, something seems to be missing. But the Buckeyes are still probably the best team in the country and could explode at any moment.

Smart pick

With Ohio State playing at home, this spread is probably about a touchdown too much, but Maryland has scored a total of six points over its last two games and might not top that figure Saturday. And even with mediocre play at quarterback the Buckeyes are capable of putting up 40. The smart money here resides with OSU.

Betting trends

Maryland is 2-5 SU and ATS in its last seven games.

Ohio State is 18-0 SU in its last 18 games.

Ohio State is 0-5 ATS in its last five games at home.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.