Ohio at Buffalo

Ohio had a tough September schedule, including games against Syracuse and Northwestern. They've played well since MAC play started with a 37-17 rout of Akron and a 30-27 loss to Central Michigan as a +5 dog. Ohio is 14-5 ATS as an underdog, including 11-5 ATS as a road dog. Coach Frank Solich was a proponent of having a strong ground attack/offensive line. Solich stepped down in July, but he left a good offensive nucleus for coach Tim Albi, the former offensive coordinator, as this Bobcat squad is averaging 5.5 yards per carry, led by RBs De'Montre Tuggle (448 yards, 6.4 yards per carry) and O'Shaan Allison (267 yards, 4.9 per carry). Ohio is 14-4 ATS on the road versus teams that average 4.75 yards per carry and 10-1 ATS away against teams that force one or fewer turnovers per game. Buffalo is a big favorite, but they have lost its first two MAC games while allowing 72 points. QB Kyle Vantrease has as many picks (three) as TDs, and the defense just surrendered 48 points, 407 yards passing, and 226 yards rushing to Kent State. These teams played an OT game, 21-20, when they last met, and this shapes up as another close one. Play Ohio.