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Sugar Bowl – Ohio State Tries to Take Next Step, But Alabama’s in the Way

  • Updated: January 1, 2015
    • Sugar Bowl Ohio State Tries to Take Next Step, But Alabamas in the Way

    By Charles Jay

    The Ohio State Buckeyes were written off by many people after they lost in early-season game to Virginia Tech. But they never lost again, and saved their most impressive performance for last, in a game that moved the committee selecting the four teams for the college football playoff enough that they were included as the #4 seed. On Thursday night they will play for one of the two spots in the national championship game when they take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in football betting action at the Sugar Bowl, beginning at 8:30 PM ET.

    Alabama lost just once on the season as well, as they were beaten at Ole Miss. They had a couple of close calls, but finished with a 12-1 record, just like Ohio State. The Buckeyes were 8-5 against the football pointspread, while out Alabama was 5-7-1 ATS.

    Both of the coaches here have won national championships. So they know exactly what it takes to get there. Nick Saban, the coach of Alabama, as won it all four times, but his team slipped badly last year in the Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma.

    Sugar Bowl Ohio State Tries to Take Next Step, But Alabamas in the Way

    In the football betting odds that a been posted on this game by the people at BetAnySports, Alabama is the clear favorite:

    Alabama Crimson Tide -9
    Ohio State Buckeyes +9

    Over 58.5 points -110
    Under 58.5 points -110

    Of course, one of the big stories for Ohio State is the fact that they are down to their third-string quarterback. JT Barrett, who had stepped in so sensationally for the injured Braxton Miller, broke his ankle in the regular-season finale and has had to give way to Cardale Jones, a 6′ 5″, 250-pounder who completed 12 out of his 17 passes for 257 yards in the machine-like 59-0 shutout of Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game. Can you just plug anyone into Urban Meyer’s system? That is a distinct possibility, although whichever way you slice it, Jones is not likely to have a cakewalk in only his second career start. But he will have plenty of help, from Ezekiel Elliott, his top running back, who had 1402 yards on the season.

    BetAnySports customers know that one thing Alabama always brings to the table is defense. How good are they? Well, maybe not as good as a couple of Saban’s championship teams from the recent past, but they allowed only 16.6 points per game and just 2.8 yards per rushing attempt. That latter figure is going to loom very important here, because if they can force Jones to throw the ball, they may be able to force the youngster into some critical mistakes.

    Not that Ohio State doesn’t carry a little defense of its own. In fact, they ranked seventh in the nation in passing efficiency defense, and they are also the nation’s best when it comes to starting field position. Very few people expected Blake Sims to play as well as he did as Alabama’s quarterback, but he completed 65% of his passes, threw for 3250 yards, and was intercepted only seven times. Surely he benefited from the tutelage of offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, who is often maligned in the media but has proven to have a very sharp offensive mind. BetAnySports patrons know that Amari Cooper could be the most dangerous weapon on the field, for either team. He caught 115 passes this season and was one of the finalists for the Heisman Trophy. Alabama also has two running backs will be playing on Sundays in TJ Yeldon and Derek Henry, who combined for 1827 yards. This balance might carry the day for them.

    You can wager on dozens of propositions for the Sugar Bowl, even after the game has started! That’s right; at BetAnySports you can use Live Betting Extra to stay in the action all night long…… Also, get reduced juice wagering when you play the side – either Ohio State or Alabama. And you can now make your deposits using Bitcoin!

    Summary
    Sugar Bowl Ohio State Tries to Take Next Step, But Alabamas in the Way
    Article Name
    Sugar Bowl - Ohio St Tries to Take Next Step vs Alabama
    Description
    Sugar Bowl preview - Alabama Crimson Tide and Ohio State Buckeyes will play a semi-final game for the right to move onto the national championship contest.
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