Ohio State Visits Rutgers as Largest Road Favorite Ever Thanks to 53-Point Spread, Bettors Not Afraid to Back Buckeyes

Posted on: November 16, 2019, 08:13h. 

Last updated on: November 17, 2019, 07:53h.

Steve Bittenbender Read More
Expertise: Legislation, Sports Betting, Horse Racing.

Just over 150 years to the day that it played in the first college football game, Rutgers has once again found a way to make history in the sport, as the Scarlet Knights get set for Ohio State.

Quarterback Justin Fields leads Ohio State into Rutgers on Saturday, where the visiting Buckeyes will be 53-point favorites against the Scarlet Knights. (Image: Ohio State University)

On Saturday, the State University of New Jersey welcomes the Buckeyes, the No. 2 team in the Associated Press poll, to SHI Stadium in Piscataway for a college football game that will be one for the books, be it sportsbooks or history books.

The visiting Buckeyes (9-0) enter as 53-point favorites at William Hill’s US sportsbooks. That is the largest spread for a road favorite in college football history. There’s also ridiculous moneyline odds available too.

According to TeamRankings.com, no team has been a 53-point favorite, although several have given more points. For teams spotting 53.5 or more points, their record against the spread is 10-15-1 since 2003.

Over at William Hill, bettors aren’t backing away from the big number, even if Ohio State defensive end Chase Young will sit out against Rutgers. The sportsbook reported that through Thursday, 75 percent of all point spread tickets written for the game were for the Buckeyes to cover. Those bets accounted for 94 percent of the money wagered on the game. Through Sarturday, Ohio State still accounted for 71 percent of spread bets and 78 percent of money on the spread.

Since failing to cover as a 27-point favorite to Florida Atlantic to start the season, Ohio State has covered in its last eight games. Meanwhile, the Scarlet Knights (2-7) have covered just twice in their nine games this season.

Since the game is in New Jersey, unfortunately bettors in that state will not be able make a wager unless they want to travel to neighboring Pennsylvania or upstate New York.

The game is scheduled to kickoff at 3:30 pm ET.

Here’s a look at the betting action on some other big games on Saturday’s college football schedule.

Bettors See Value in Minnesota

Staying in the Big Ten, a much more competitive game is set to take place in Iowa City, as No. 23 Iowa hosts undefeated and seventh-ranked Minnesota. The visiting Golden Gophers (9-0) are coming off a big win against Penn State last week, but oddsmakers like the host Hawkeyes (6-3).

Iowa is a 3-point favorite at most sportsbooks, but bettors over at FanDuel are split on the game. According to numberFire.com, 56 percent of point spread bets on the game are for Minnesota. However, Iowa bettors account for 55 percent of the money bet on the spread.

The moneyline, though, is a different story. FanDuel is offering the Golden Gophers at +130, meaning a $100 bet would net $130. That’s attracted 86 percent of all moneyline bettors on the game, and 79 percent of the cash bet on the moneyline.

Iowa, on the other hand, is at -150.

The game is also popular at William Hill, as 11 percent of all college points spread bets taken were on the Hawkeyes-Golden Gophers. Most of those bettors backed Minnesota, as 71 percent of all points spread bets were on the Golden Gophers, accounting for 58 percent of the money.

That game will kickoff at 4 pm ET

Bettors Split on Notre Dame-Navy

Another game involving two ranked teams takes place in South Bend, as No. 16 Notre Dame hosts No. 21 Navy.

The line started at 9.5 points in favor of Notre Dame, but it has since slipped to a 7-point spread at most sportsbooks.

The lower line has attracted more Fighting Irish bettors, as 60 percent of the spread bets at FanDuel have been for the favorites. That accounts for 69 percent of the money wagered.

Meanwhile, those backing the Midshipmen have focused more on the moneyline, where Navy is a +230 underdogs at FanDuel. Navy accounts for 75 percent of the moneyline bets and 64 percent of the money wagered straight up.

Notre Dame is currently listed at -290.

The Irish and Midshipmen will play at 2:30 pm ET.