Colorado vs. Ohio State: Last Minute Spread Info and Predictions

A mismatch on paper, this game still promises to give us several interesting story lines.

Ohio State is reeling from a bad loss to Miami. It would be easy for them to come into this game against Colorado in the wrong frame of mind.

Colorado is looking to prove that their program is headed in the right direction. There's no better time for them to do that than against a program as highly-touted as Ohio State.

Where: The Horseshoe at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

When: Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. EST.

Watch: ESPN2 or ABC depending on your location.

Spread

According to docsports.com, Bodog has Ohio State as a 17 point favorite.

As crazy as it sounds, go with Colorado here. Ohio State has serious questions on offense and Colorado will treat this game like it's the national championship game.

Over/Under

Docsports.com and BookMaker.com both have the over/under at 44.

Go with the under here and don't look back. Ohio State's offense is stuck in neutral and the Buckeyes' talented defense will keep Colorado from getting much going.

Key Injuries

For Ohio State, fullback Adam Homan will miss the game after having arthroscopic knee surgery. Defensive end Nathan Williams will be out indefinitely with a knee injury of his own. Wide receiver Corey Brown is questionable with an ankle injury.

For Colorado, center Daniel Munyer and David Bakhtiari are dealing with ankle and knee injuries, respectively, but both will play. Linebacker David Goldberg will play despite a leg injury, but cornerback Travis Sandersfield is expected to be out.

BCS Top 25 Poll Implications

Assuming at least one or two ranked teams lose this week, Ohio State will find themselves back in the AP Top 25 with a win. If they win out, however unlikely, they will also find themselves back in the discussion to get into a BCS game or even the national title game if things break right.

Colorado is not in the discussion for either set of rankings. They are simply out there playing for pride and to prove that they are a program on the rise.

Keys to Ohio State Win

Ohio State has to keep Colorado from believing in themselves. If they come out and play well, there's a good chance that they will blow the Buffs out. If they let Colorado hang around, though, they run the risk of letting them stay in the game.

Keys to a Colorado Win

Colorado has to make Ohio State's quarterback uncomfortable. Whether it's Joe Bauserman or Braxton Miller under center for OSU, neither has much of a track record of success. They can be rattled if the pass rush is good from the start.

Prediction

Colorado will hang around a lot longer than Ohio State would like. The Buffs will force a few turnovers from whichever shaky quarterback the Buckeyes play and they will hit on a couple of big offensive plays to keep them in it.

Ultimately Ohio State pulls away, but not before they are exposed as a shockingly mediocre team.