Arkansas State vs. Ohio State Odds
| Arkansas State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+44.5 -110 | 68.5 -110o / -110u | N/A |
| Ohio State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-44.5 -110 | 68.5 -110o / -110u | N/A |
Someone's 0 has got to go as these two undefeated teams meet in Week 2. Arkansas State travels to Columbus for a noon kickoff game against the third-ranked team in the country.
Arkansas State opened its season with a 58-3 win over Grambling State. Following a 2-10 season, the Red Wolves will look to make big improvements this season, but they are justifiably heavy underdogs in this game.
After opening the season with a highly-anticipated, top-five matchup against Notre Dame, Ohio State takes a step down in competition against Arkansas State. Ohio State enters this game with a 1-0 record, but is 0-1 against the spread.
The early weather forecast for this game is overcast with winds ranging from 5.9 to 7.4 miles per hour. With no precipitation in the forecast, weather isn't likely to impact this game in any meaningful way.
Arkansas State Red Wolves
How much can you truly gather from a 55-point win over an FCS opponent that finished with a 4-7 record in 2021?
Arkansas State averaged 7.15 yards per play and 26.9 seconds per play. In 2021, the Red Wolves averaged 5.45 yards per play and 23.9 seconds per play while scoring just 25.2 points per game.
Former Florida State quarterback James Blackman led the passing attack with 210 passing yards and two touchdowns. He completed 75% of his passes and averaged 10.5 yards per attempt. Blackman is playing his sixth season of college football and his second season with Arkansas State.
The running game featured two backs who received at lead 10 carries in Week 1. Johnnie Lang led the team with 13 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown. He is a sixth-year senior who began his college career with Iowa State and has never finished a season with more than 275 rushing yards.
Brian Snead is the other back, and he had 12 carries for 57 yards and a score against Grambling State. Snead is a former four-star prospect and Buckeye whose college career includes stops at Iowa Western Community College and Austin Peay before returning to the FBS level.
Last season, the Red Wolves averaged just 83 rushing yards per game, so while they may be improved, it's unlikely that this duo will create significant problems for the Buckeyes.
After allowing 38.6 points per game in 2021, Arkansas State's Week 1 performance is a reason for some optimism.
The defense held Grambling State to just 102 yards of offense and 2.0 yards per play. It goes without saying, however, that Ohio State is a significantly steeper challenge for this defense.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State will enter this game likely without its leading wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and possibly without its starting center Luke Wypler, who was seen leaving the Notre Dame game in a walking boot.
In addition to Smith-Njigba, Ohio State was missing Julian Fleming and Kamryn Babb in Week 1 after they were projected in the two-deep during preseason camp.
Offense was the highlight for the 2021 Ohio State team, but the Buckeyes were largely held in check by the Fighting Irish. Following the early injury to Smith-Njigba, the overhaul of the Ohio State wide receiver room became apparent, as CJ Stroud seemed to struggle with timing early in the game.
However, he still managed to finish the game with a completion percentage over 70%, although he averaged just 6.6 yards per attempt.
Even without Smith-Njigba, there's no lack of talent in the wide receiver room. Former five-star Emeka Egbuka was the standout in Week 1 — with nine reception for 90 yards — but you should also expect Marvin Harrison Jr. to see additional success as the season progresses.
OSU's running back room took a hit during the offseason when third-stringer Evan Pryor tore his ACL, leaving them with just three scholarship running backs on the roster.
But against Notre Dame, both TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams averaged six yards per attempt, and Williams was heavily utilized on the team's game-clinching drive in the fourth quarter.
It's only been one game, but new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles appears to have been a good hire. After struggling against run-centric offenses in 2022, Ohio State allowed just 2.8 Line Yards per attempt and forced a 22.2% Stuff Rate.
The Buckeyes also generated Havoc on 18.8% of plays.
After shutting out the Fighting Irish in the second half, there's reason for optimism on the defensive side of the ball in Columbus.
Arkansas State vs. Ohio State Betting Pick
The line opened for this matchup at 45 points and has dropped by a point and a half despite 76% of bets and 92% of the money coming in favor of the Buckeyes.
The total opened at 68.5 and has held steady.
Based on Ryan Day's history, I think it's a safe assumption that the Ohio State offense will find more success against Arkansas State than it did against Notre Dame, even with a couple of missing starters.
But with one game in the books, it's also a safe assumption that Ohio State's improved defense is going to cause problems for an overmatched Arkansas State team.
I'm not expecting the Red Wolves to contribute much to the total in this matchup, and I will consequently play Under 68.5 (with value down to 63.5).
