Ohio State faces USC with new quarterback in Week 9
Betting expert Thomas Casale picks the Trojans as underdogs, citing the absence of Julian Sayin and a shift in the point spread.
By Jonathan Ramirez ·
Sports betting expert Thomas Casale recommends backing USC to stay within the spread against No. 2 Ohio State in a Saturday night game. The Trojans are listed as 6.5 point underdogs for the 7:30 p.m. ET matchup. Casale, who has a 12-7 record over the last six weeks, identifies this game as a top pick for the ninth week of the college football season.
The Buckeyes arrive in Los Angeles without their starting quarterback, Julian Sayin. True freshman Luke Fahey is expected to make his first career start. Casale notes that the Ohio State offense may struggle on the road with an inexperienced signal caller. He observes that the point spread moved from Ohio State minus 7 to minus 6.5. Moving off the key number of 7 is a rare occurrence for a highly rated team, according to Casale.
Casale believes the line movement signals hesitation. He states that the Ohio State coaching staff supports Fahey and acknowledges the potential for explosive plays, such as passes to Jeremiah Smith. However, his main concern is the team's ability to sustain drives throughout the contest. He expects the offense to take a step back away from home.
Week 9 features several other high-profile games with tricky odds. No. 3 Georgia hosts No. 17 Florida at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Georgia is a 12.5 point favorite after a recent loss to Auburn. Florida is two weeks removed from a road win against Texas. Other scheduled matchups include Arizona at Texas Tech, Auburn at Ole Miss, Minnesota at Indiana, Miami at UNC, and Ohio State at USC.
Casale has previously swept all three best bets in his column for Weeks 4 and 5. He is currently sharing his top predictions for the current week. A parlay combining his specific picks could yield a return of approximately plus 600. The expert is a frequent guest on national radio and television programs discussing college sports.
The schedule places several top ten teams in challenging positions. Georgia must overcome the road loss to Auburn before facing Florida. Ohio State must manage a new quarterback situation while traveling to USC. The odds reflect the uncertainty in these matchups. For example, Miami is a 14 point underdog at UNC, while Minnesota is a 20.5 point favorite at Indiana.
Casale also backs a big favorite in another game he describes as an awful spot for the opponent. He has identified two other picks he favors alongside the USC selection. The analysis relies on current point spreads and team rosters. The primary focus remains on the Ohio State and USC game due to the quarterback change and line adjustment.
The game is set for Saturday evening. Fans and bettors are watching the spread movement closely. The absence of Sayin is the central narrative for the Buckeyes' offensive performance. Casale's advice centers on the unpredictability of a freshman quarterback in a hostile environment. The Trojans are positioned to cover the 6.5 point spread if Ohio State's offense stalls.
