Buckeyes open as heavy road favorite for primetime game at Michigan State

COLUMBUS — Ohio State closed out nonconference play with a second straight offensive explosion. Following a 56-point outburst against Western Michigan two weeks ago, the Buckeyes had 49 points on 57 plays Saturday vs. Marshall.

Now, this offensive show will go on the road for the first time, and it'll do so in prime time.

Because of how good this Buckeyes offense has shown to be and how good we know this defense to be, Ohio State opened as a 24.5-point favorite for the road opener at Michigan State (7:30 p.m., Peacock).

The total has been set at 49.5.

If the Ohio State offense can travel as well as we expect this defense to travel, the Buckeyes will have no problem next weekend, even in a primetime slot at Michigan State. Because this Buckeyes offense has been really good for the last couple of weeks.

"I was sitting on the sideline today, and I was just talking to some of the other quarterbacks, Devin and Julian. I was like, 'our offense is so explosive.' It's crazy," senior quarterback Will Howard said after the win over Marshall. "Literally every play could be a touchdown. If we block everything up and get everything, every play could break for a touchdown. It's exciting. It makes it kind of fun. You never know what's going to happen on any certain play.

"For me, I just have to do my job, and I just have to keep us on schedule and be sharp. And I think we did a good job of that today."

Ohio State will need to do another good job of creating explosive plays in both the run game and through the air. If it does that, the 24.5-point spread will be covered. If the Spartans can contain this offense, well, take the points.

Ohio State at Michigan State betting notes, trends