Marshall Thundering Herd at Ohio State Buckeyes 2010 NCAA Football Week 1 Odds, Preview, and Predictions: Head football coach Jim Tressel’s Ohio State Buckeye are ranked in the top five nationally in almost every poll. There is talk of a national championship, but not around the Buckeye team. Starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor is a preseason leader for the Heisman Trophy entering his third season with Ohio State and the defense was fifth in the nation in scoring defense in 2009 giving up poultry 12.5 points per game with most of the starters returning. “We don’t need none of the hype,” Pryor said. “There’s always going to be the roundup of the top teams. We don’t need to read any of that stuff. We just need to focus and to take care of the business we need to take care of.” Vegas odds makers have the Ohio State Buckeyes a -28 point favorite at home against the Marshall Thundering Herd.
Pryor is a dual threat that can hurt you with his legs or arm, just as Oregon as the Buckeye’s beat them 26-17 in the Rose Bowl and Pryor was MVP. On the season the quarterback threw for 2094 yards with 18 touchdowns in the air and 11 picks while running for a team leading 779 yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground. His leadership skills are maturing and he is looking to have an outstanding season with his favorite targets returning as well. Vegas odds makers have Terrelle Pryor at 4/1 odds to win the Heisman Trophy.
Marshall University went 6-6 last season and ended with a win in the Little Caesar’s Pizza Bowl 21-17 over Ohio. The result was the hiring of new head football coach John “Doc” Holiday a former linebacker at West Virginia University and an assistant under Urban Myer at Florida during their 2006 National Title run. Coach Holiday has the benefit of a senior quarterback returning as Brian Anderson passed for 2,646 yards with 14 touchdowns but had 13 interceptions. He will need to improve that ratio for Marshall to live up to its expectations. Odds makers at Bodog have the over/under for the total score at 47 points combined of the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Marshall Thundering Herd.
The Buckeyes have to be careful not to be looking ahead to next week’s game against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes as the Herd gave them a scare in the last meeting (2004) when Ohio State eked out a 24-21 win. I predict a closer game than the spread so take the points and GO HERD! Note: Rich Fritz is a Blog Writer on NSAwins.com and not a pro handicapper. For expert College Football Picks please visit the NSAwins.com homepage for top predictions today from the National Sports Advisors.