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2010 Rose Bowl Odds: Oregon v. Ohio State Football Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd on December 29, 2009

The 10-2 Ohio State Buckeyes take on the 10-2 Oregon Ducks on ABC New Year’s Day in the 2010 edition of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. College football odds makers have listed Oregon as the 4-point favorite with the total set at 50.5.

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The No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes brought home a fifth straight Big Ten title this season, and they enter Friday’s matchup with plenty of momentum, having won their last five games. They will face the No. 7 Oregon Ducks, who most didn’t think would end up in Pasadena with the way their season started. Oregon started the year with a 19-8 loss at then-No. 14 Boise State. Following the game, star running back LeGarrette Blount was suspended for punching a Boise State player.

Ohio State’s late-season surge has helped it earn its fifth straight BCS bowl appearance while the Ducks put their season opener behind them, defeating their next four ranked opponents to capture their first Pac-10 title since 2001.

With Blount suspended, redshirt freshman LaMichael James took advantage of the opportunity to be an every down back. James ran for 1,476 yards and 14 scores while averaging a ridiculous 6.9 yards per tote. He helped Oregon average 44.4 points per game while winning 10 of its last 11 regular season contests. Blount has been reinstated and is expected to play. He rushed nine times for 51 yards and a score in his first game back against Oregon State.

While these two backs are about as good as you’ll find, the Oregon offense wouldn’t be what it is with QB Jeremiah Masoli. Masoli rushed for 659 yards and 12 scores and also passed for 2,066 yards and 15 touchdowns with only five interceptions. It is worth noting that the Ducks are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 bowl games. If you like the Ducks to win and cover behind their potent offense, bet Oregon at -4 at Bodog.

Ohio State’s strength has been its defense. The Buckeyes are giving up just 12.2 points per game on 262.5 yards per game this season. They have been especially tough against the run, allowing only 83.4 yards per game to rank fifth in the country. Ohio State did not allow even one opposing running back to make it over the century mark this season.

Offensively, the Buckeyes are led by sophomore QB Terrelle Pryor, who passed for 1,828 yards and 16 touchdowns with 10 picks. He also rushed for a team-high 707 yards and added seven more scores on the ground. In all, Ohio State averaged 29.3 points on the season.

History is certainly on Ohio State’s side as it is 7-0 all-time against the Ducks. But it is worth noting that Oregon defeated both USC and Purdue this season – the two teams that handed Ohio State its only two losses. It is also worth noting that the Buckeyes are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0 points. If you like the Buckeyes in the underdog role, bet Ohio State at +4 at Bodog.

Jimmy Boyd has dominated the bowl season each of the last two years, finishing the 2007-08 bowl season on a 14-5 run and the 2008-09 season on a 10-4 home stretch run. Crush your book again this year through the BCS Championship Game with Jimmy’s expert football picks!

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