Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (2-0) vs Ohio State Buckeyes (2-0)
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Ohio State Buckeyes 9/16/23 – Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and Ohio State Buckeyes both boast unbeaten records of 2-0 and will go head-to-head Saturday at Ohio Stadium with a 4:00 PM ET kickoff time for an anticipated Week 3 NCAAF game televised live by FOX.
Davion Ervin-Poindexter and Easton Messer have been integral parts of Western Kentucky’s offense this season. Ervin-Poindexter, Western Kentucky’s star running back, has amassed 78 rushing yards from 15 attempts, averaging an impressive 5.2 yards per carry average and has yet to reach the end zone yet this season; Easton Messer’s 11 receptions for 134 yards with one touchdown have stretched Ohio State defense considerably – and these key players look poised to continue being key components on Western Kentucky’s offense this season.
TreVeyon Henderson and Marvin Harrison Jr. have become two key offensive threats for Ohio State this season. Henderson has amassed 103 yards on 17 attempts while averaging an impressive 6.1 yards per carry and scoring two touchdowns already. Meanwhile Harrison Jr., Ohio State’s leading wide receiver with nine receptions totaling 178 yards & two touchdowns as well as an astounding 19.8 average yards per catch average can provide big plays to keep opponents at bay. If you’re looking for the free reliable NCAA football picks, consider their matchups carefully.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Ohio State Buckeyes Game Info
| When: | Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 4:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Ohio Stadium |
| TV: | FOX |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Austin Reed QB vs. Kyle McCord QB
Austin Reed has been stellar for the Hilltoppers this season, completing 56 out of 83 attempted passes for 589 yards at an outstanding completion rate of 75% and with an outstanding passer rating of 150.9. His excellent decision-making and zero interceptions show how well he navigates an offense under pressure; furthermore, his style emphasizes quick reads and efficient passing which may play a vital role in breaking through Ohio State’s defense.
Kyle McCord has also been impressively effective for Ohio State. With 34 out of 53 passing attempts resulting in 497 passing yards, and his completion percentage at 64.2% and passer rating at 157.8, McCord is capable of producing big plays as evidenced by his 9.4 yards-per-pass-attempt average; however, one interception proves he may still succumb to pressure at times.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Ohio State -7288, Total Odds: 64
Ohio State is heavily favored in this matchup, boasting an incredible -29 spread at -110 odds and 64 total odds -115 for under and 105 for over. Given their home field advantage and recent track record, it is unsurprising that they are considered favorites.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Trends
Western Kentucky has done very well against the spread in their last 15 games, going 10-5 against it over that stretch. They also tend to enjoy high-scoring affairs with four of five of their games going over in terms of scoring total. Furthermore, Western Kentucky boasts an impressive 6-1 straight up record over their last seven contests while going 5-2 when on the road against Big Ten competition (though going winless against this conference overall in recent times).
Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Trends
Ohio State has had difficulty beating the spread in their recent games, going 1-4 against it over their last five matches. Their games have generally been high-scoring though; with 10 out of 13 of their matches ending up going over. On the plus side, their record against straight-up betting stands out impressively: 14-2 over 16 matchups overall and an unblemished 14-1 mark at home over 15 home contests!
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Ohio State Buckeyes 9/16/23 Betting Picks
Given statistical performances and recent trends, this matchup offers fascinating betting opportunities. Although Ohio State is heavily favored to win, don’t underestimate Western Kentucky Hilltoppers given their recent performance against the spread (ATS). Their last 15 games saw them go 10-5 ATS overall; on the road they went 5-2; this indicates they might put up enough resistance against Ohio State to cover its +29 point spread. Furthermore, Ohio State has struggled against the spread (1-4 in their last 5 games).
As for the Over/Under of 64 points, both teams possess strong offensive capabilities that suggest high scoring action is likely. Western Kentucky has seen their total go OVER in four of five games while Ohio State has seen 10-13 of their 13 total go OVER, suggesting this might be another high scoring matchup. Both quarterbacks appear capable of scoring points consistently; so taking an OVER bet may be best here as both offenses may wreak havoc with each other and set off fireworks on offense. For more insights and potential betting opportunities, you can also explore some VIP online sports picks.
Free Pick and Prediction: Ohio State 48, Western Kentucky 24.