Ohio State vs. Alabama

The Ohio State Buckeyes were certainly a preseason favorite to make it to the playoffs, but their QB went down before the season even started and an early loss to a mediocre Virginia Tech team seemed to doom their chances. They rallied back to run the table, and in unthinkable fashion lost yet another QB. It seemed that their fate was sealed, facing a strong defensive team in Wisconsin, with a powerful running game, was just too much. They came back again in resounding fashion, winning 59-0. So why then is this team such a huge underdog in this game against Alabama? It is the Alabama factor, noone can beat them. The fact is Ohio State, over the last three years, has a better record than Alabama, and have been just as good this season. These teams have both gotten better as the season has gotten long, and Alabama is doing their usual thing on defense. And here we have Ohio State holding the best ground attack in the country in Wisconsin to zero points and 71 rushing yards at 1.9 yards per carry. I think this game plays out closer than expected, and with both teams peaking defensively, a lot less scoring as well. The Buckeyes have been fueled by a top defensive effort as they own a 35-14-2 ATS mark in their last 51 games after allowing less than 275 total yards in their previous game. The Tide has struck out when heading outside the conference where they are 0-7-1 ATS in their last eight. The Buckeyes are 5-1 to the UNDER in their last six on turf. Alabama scored 46 points per game in seven home games and just 26.6 points per game away from home and is not the same explosive offense. Make the play on Ohio State and the UNDER in this one.