Ohio State vs. Penn State White Out Highlights Busy College Football Week 5

Posted on: September 28, 2018, 04:00h. 

Last updated on: September 28, 2018, 10:36h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

No. 4 Ohio State (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) travels to Happy Valley Saturday to play at No. 9 Penn State (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) in “white out” conditions that will have Beaver Stadium filled to capacity with more than 110,000 fans.

Ohio State Penn State college football odds
Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley will try and lead his team to an upset over Ohio State. (Image: Christopher Sanders/The Daily Collegian)

The Nittany Lions are seeking revenge for their 39-38 loss in 2017 at the Horseshoe that would end up keeping them on the sidelines of the College Football Playoff. After a shaky start against Appalachian State in 2018, PSU has found their stride, winning their last three games by a combined score of 177-40.

Ohio State enters the ABC national telecast with one of the most explosive offenses in the country. The Buckeyes are averaging 54.5 points per game, and already knocked off a Top 25 program by way of a 40-28 win over then-No. 15 TCU two weeks ago.

Three of the last four meetings between Ohio State and Penn State have been decided by a touchdown or less. Sports bettors believe that will be the case again on Saturday.

The Westgate SuperBook has Ohio State spotting the Nittany Lions three points. As of Friday afternoon, PSU backers could find slightly better odds (+3.5 points) at the Wynn, Mirage, and Station Casinos sportsbooks.

Action-Packed Saturday

Saturday features a total of five games pitting two Top 25 schools against one another.

After Ohio State and Penn State, the biggest matchup is No. 7 Stanford (4-0) playing at No. 8 Notre Dame (4-0). The Fighting Irish are off to a strong start after beginning their season with a 24-17 over then-No. 14 Michigan. Oddsmakers feel Stanford is a nearly two field goal underdog, with the line currently at 5.5 points.

No. 12 West Virginia (3-0, 1-0 Big 12) travels to play No. 25 Texas Tech (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) in a conference showdown. The Red Raiders’ lone loss came in week one in a disappointing 47-27 loss at Mississippi, but they’ve bounced back and are fresh off a dominating 41-17 win over then-No. 15 Oklahoma State.

Still, WVU is a 3.5-point favorite at the SuperBook. West Virginia has won its first three games by an average of 30 points. No. 20 BYU (3-1) plays at No. 11 Washington (3-1) in a game that’s expected to be the most lopsided of the ranked vs. ranked games. The Huskies are favored by 17.

The final Top 25 vs. Top 25 game is the FS1 nightcap. No. 19 Oregon (3-1, 0-1 Pac 12) visits No. 24 California (3-0, 0-0 Pac 12). The Ducks, coming off a 38-31 loss at home to Stanford, are a slim 1.5-point favorites.

Alabama Historically Great

Top-ranked Alabama (4-0) will (almost certainly) destroy Louisiana (1-2) this Saturday. The current odds have the Crimson Tide spotting the visiting underdogs a staggering 49 points.

Las Vegas oddsmakers believe this year’s Alabama team is one of the best rosters to ever assemble on a college football team. SuperBook head oddsmaker Ed Salmons tells ESPN that the book is listing the Crimson Tide a full five points higher this year compared with last season’s national champions.

There’s really no way to stop these guys,” Salmons declared.

And unfortunately for other teams looking for an upset, Alabama isn’t scheduled to play another ranked opponent until November 3 (No. 5 LSU).