2011 Sugar Bowl: Arkansas vs. Ohio State Picks & Predictions
By Anthony Rome
New Orleans, LA (The Spread) - Ohio State will look to get over its historical struggles against the SEC when it takes on Arkansas in the 2011 Sugar Bowl tonight at 8:30PM ET. Continue reading for odds, picks and more on this college football BCS bowl matchup.
According to current college football bowl odds and oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com, the Buckeyes are 3.5-point favorites over the Razorbacks in the Sugar Bowl. The over/under total for this game is currently 57.5 points.
The Hogs finished with a 10-2 overall record in the regular season and covered in nine of their 12 games this year. They averaged 37.3 points per game and allowed 22.8 points, as the over hit in eight of their 12 games.
The Buckeyes wrapped up their season with an 11-1 record and covered in nine of their 12 games with one push. According to latest college football trends, the over hit in nine of their 12 games this year with one push.
Sugar Bowl Free Pick:
Ohio State is 19-22 all-time in bowl games but broke a three-game bowl losing streak last year by beating Oregon in the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes are 0-9 against SEC teams in bowl games, but we think their struggles stop here. Jim Tressel’s group is tired of hearing about their failures against the SEC and although the recent suspensions that were handed down by the NCAA to players like Terrelle Pryor and Boom Herron provide a distraction, OSU should come out focused. The difference in this game will be the Buckeyes’ defense, which is one of the nation’s best. They ranked second in total defense (250.6 yards per game) and third in scoring (13.3 points per game). They’ve also limited opponents to 10 or fewer points and should get another standout effort by Chimdi Chekwa tonight. Ryan Mallett and company will score, but so will Pryor and OSU’s offense as they go against a suspect Arkansas defense. Our pick is Ohio State –3.5.
2011 SUGAR BOWL FREE PICK: OHIO STATE –3.5