Arkansas has played a very good and tough schedule against Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Tex A&M, South Carolina, Miss ST and finally LSU. Of their 2 losses one came to Alabama that they lead 20-7 with 5 minutes left in the 3rd and the other came to Auburn that they actually let Auburn 43-37 in the first minute of the 4th Quarter.
Add the above to the fact that Arkansas as covered in 9 of their last 10 ATS and 16-5 ATS against teams with a winning records in their last 21 and I am extremely impressed.
OSU played the Big 10 schedule and without being too sensationlist by saying they played a much weaker schedule, I actually believe they did.
OSU played Iowa, Penn St and Wisconsin, lost to Wisconsin, beat Iowa late in the game by 3and thumped Penn St .....I'm not even sure if I should include Iowa and Penn St as they didn't have great years either. But I'm not giving OSU kudos for beating Michigan, MN, Ind, Illini, Purdue, E.Michigan and Ohio.
Ark Offense vs. OSU Defense:
#4 passing offense vs. OSU #6 passing defense
#4 passing efficency vs. OSU #4 passin efficency defense
#65 rushing vs. OSU #3 rushing defense
#14 scoring at 37.33 per game vs. OSU #3 scoring defense
#45 turnover margin vs. OSU #4 turnover margin
ADVANTAGE: OSU Defense
OSU Offense vs. Ark Defense
#14 rushing offense vs. Ark #66 defense
#55 passing offense vs. Ark #18 pass defense
#8 passing efficency offense vs. Ark #33 pass eff defense
#20 total offense vs. Ark #33 total defense
#11 scoring offense vs. Ark #42 scoring defense
#4 turnover margin vs. Ark #45 turnover margin
ADVANTAGE: OSU
Overview and Pick: Seems pretty obvious who to pick huh?? Not so fast my friends.
Ohio States stats are against lesser, slower teams and Arkansas is against the much faster and dominant SEC. OSU doesn't get to the QB as they are #87 in sacks whereas ARK does #5 in the country with over 3 sacks per game.
Arkansas can tackle and even agains faster stronger better opponents they are #7 in tackles for a loss and OSU is #73.
This will by far be the fastest and most athletic team OSU has played this year. OSU has obviously had off the field turmoil, although I really don't think it will have an impact.
My Pick:
Arkansas Razorbacks +3