The Western Michigan Broncos will play the Ohio State Buckeyes in Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 7:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.
Ohio State enters this Week 2 contest as a -38.5 favorite on the spread, while the total sits at 54.
Let's dive into my Western Michigan vs Ohio State Predictions, Picks & Odds for College Football Week 2 — 9/7.
Western Michigan vs Ohio State Pick, Prediction
My Western Michigan vs Ohio State best bet and pick is on the Buckeyes to cover the near-40-point spread at bet365 Sportsbook.
- Western Michigan vs Ohio State Prediction, Pick: Ohio State -37
Western Michigan vs Ohio State Odds for NCAAF Week 2
| Western Michigan Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+37.5 -105 | 54.5 -110o / -110u | N/A |
| Ohio State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-37.5 -115 | 54.5 -110o / -110u | N/A |
- Point Spread: Western Michigan +37.5 · Ohio State -37.5
- Total: Over/Under 54.5 Points
Western Michigan Football vs Ohio State Football Preview
Western Michigan Broncos Betting Preview: Broncos Can Compete With Big Ten
Western Michigan has shown it can go toe-to-toe with a Big Ten opponent. On the road in Madison last week, the Broncos led Wisconsin 14-13 with just over 14 minutes to play.
From there, the wheels fell off, resulting in a 14-point loss. But regardless of the final score, the Broncos team will enter Ohio Stadium believing they have a chance to compete.
That is easier said than done against this Buckeyes team, though.
The Western Michigan offense is powered by two solid veterans in the backfield. Fifth-year senior Hayden Wolff starts at quarterback for his second year in a WMU uniform.
Wolff is a capable game manager but is unlikely to destroy a good defense with his arm. He threw for just over 1,500 yards last season and was 12-for-18 for 141 yards (0 touchdowns, one interception) against Wisconsin in Week 1.
Alongside Wolff is star sophomore running back Jalen Buckley. Buckley finished with 1,003 yards last year in his first season as the feature back, and he looks ready for more this year.
He tallied two touchdowns against Wisconsin, and Western Michigan will need to lean heavily on Buckley's legs if they have any chance of sticking around in this game.
That is not easy to do for a MAC team against Ohio State, as Akron showed last week.
The Zips repeatedly returned to their rushing attack, only to be stonewalled by the elite Buckeyes defense. Akron finished with just 47 yards rushing on 35 carries, an average of 1.3 yards per carry.
We may see a similar result if Western Michigan tries to do the same.
Western Michigan's defense struggled last season, but it looked much improved in Week 1 (although the Badgers may have gotten in their way a good amount). WMU ranked ninth in the MAC in rushing yards allowed per game and dead last in passing defense.
Ohio State should put on a clinic on the offensive end.
Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Preview: New Faces Settling In
Ohio State topped Akron by a score of 52-6 in Week 1, and the margin of victory could have been even larger if not for a quiet start by Ohio State football standards.
The Buckeyes led by just 7-3 at the end of the first quarter, and the Bucks' offense scored on only three of its first six possessions.
The slow start can be attributed to new faces finding their footing. Quarterback Will Howard settled in nicely as the game progressed, finishing with 228 yards passing and three touchdowns to zero interceptions.
The ground game is also in flux, as Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins split carries with incumbent Buckeyes starter TreVeyon Henderson. Judkins got 13 carries to Henderson's eight, but the returnee for the Buckeyes led the team in rushing yards, finishing with 65 to Judkins' 55 despite five fewer carries.
But it was not just veteran transfers who made their presence felt. Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith hauled in six receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns. If last week was any indication, Smith is already one of the best receivers in the country and yet another weapon for an already-loaded offense.
After the offense settled in, the Buckeyes demonstrated why they are one of the betting favorites to win the national championship this season. The second half was pure domination, as Ohio State outscored the Zips 35-3 in the final two quarters.
On the defensive side, the Buckeyes wreaked Havoc, forcing three turnovers, five sacks and numerous additional quarterback hurries. The defense was opportunistic, turning two turnovers into touchdowns.
This week, the Buckeyes' opponent has a few more veterans at crucial spots on offense, and it may be tougher for the Ohio State defense to capitalize on their mistakes and score independently. However, simultaneously, the Buckeyes' offense should be expected to assert its will from start to finish.
How to Bet Western Michigan vs Ohio State Predictions
This is a great buy low, sell high spot. Western Michigan kept things close enough against a mediocre Wisconsin squad to keep this line in the 30s.
If Ohio State can avoid a slow start, we should see domination that is in line with their 35-3 second-half win over Akron last week.
Ryan Day's Ohio State teams have won by 39 or more points in six of their nine regular-season non-conference games against non-power conference opponents.
A blowout of epic proportions is likely incoming.
Pick: Ohio State -37 (bet365)
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How to Watch Western Michigan vs Ohio State
| Location: | Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH |
| Date: | Saturday, Sept. 7 |
| Kickoff Time: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | Big Ten Network |
WMU-Ohio State Betting Trends
- Western Michigan is 1-0 ATS this season after covering against Wisconsin in Week 1, losing 28-14 as 24-point underdogs.
- Ohio State is 0-1 ATS this season after winning but failing to cover against Akron in Week 1. The Buckeyes won 52-6 as 48.5-point favorites.
- Ohio State is 19-12-1 ATS at home over the past five seasons (since 2019).
NCAAF Week 2 Weather: Western Michigan vs Ohio State
