Toledo vs. No. 3 Ohio State September 17 Betting Preview

Looking for a fun, long-shot bet this Saturday? Probably best to stay away from betting on Toledo against Ohio State during their meeting at Ohio Stadium. It has been over 100 years since the Buckeyes lost to another school located in Ohio.

In fact, the last in-state team to take down Ohio State doesn’t play major college football anymore. The Buckeyes lost to Oberlin College 7-6 in 1921. Since then, Ohio State has run off 44 straight wins over fellow in-state schools. Here’s a look at what to make of the No. 3 Buckeyes meeting with the Rockets this weekend.

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What To Make Of Toledo

The Rockets are off to a 2-0 start, but don’t have much to write home about. Toledo beat up UMass, who are expected to be one of the worst programs in the FBS 55-10, before knocking around FCS LIU 37-0. The Rockets have won their first two games of the season for the first time since they won the MAC title in 2017.

The Rockets are led by sophomore quarterback Dequan Finn, who has passed for 393 yards and three touchdowns. Finn has been able to keep teams guessing with his dual-threat approach to the position. He also leads the team in rushing with 1,378 yards. Trying to judge the Rockets defense is mostly a fruitless exercise.

Toledo is second in the nation in points allowed and passing yards allowed, but the competition the Rockets have played has been weak.

Rockets Decent In Last Meeting

Toledo is 0-3 all-time against Ohio State, but hung tough when the two teams met last time. The Rockets lost 27-22 on September 10 back in 2011. Toledo is 9-19 all-time against ranked opponents and 6-15 all-time against Big Ten foes.

Ohio State Is Comfortable In Columbus

The Buckeyes are in the middle of a five-game homestand to start the season. Ohio State’s game against Toledo will be its second straight against a Group of Five opponent. The Buckeyes are 46-0-1 all-time in Ohio Stadium vs. other Ohio schools.

Ohio State has scored 66 points in the first two games. Defensively, the Buckeyes have also been excellent. Ohio State has allowed 22 points in the first two games.

Buckeyes Are Complete Team

If it weren't for a disappointing first half against Notre Dame, Ohio State has looked like a team poised for a run at the Big Ten title. Buckeyes quarterback CJ Stroud has passed for 574 yards so far this season with six touchdowns and zero interceptions. Stroud now has 5,009 career passing yards and is 388 yards away from moving past Justin Fields and Dwayne Haskins for ninth on the all-time passing list.

The Buckeyes’ offense has balance, as Ohio State averages 5.6 yards per carry. Treveyon Henderson leads Ohio State with 178 rushing yards and averages 7.1 yards per carry. Marvin Harrison Jr. leads the Buckeyes in receiving with 240 yards and three touchdowns.

Odds And Prediction

Ohio State is a 32-point favorite. The over/under has been set at 61 points. Toledo is jumping into the deep end of the pool this week at the Horseshoe. Ohio State’s defense will be too much for the young Rockets quarterback.

The Buckeyes will win this game and cover the spread comfortably.