The 8th ranked Arkansas Razorbacks (10-2), representing the SEC will play No. 6 The Ohio State University Buckeyes (11-1) in the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the New Orleans' Superdome, Tuesday (8:30 pm ET, ESPN) Oddsmakers at most offshore sports wagering sites opened Ohio State as +3 1/2-chalk favorites, a line that's now been bet down to +3. The game total (OVER/UNDER) is currently holding at 57 points. Be sure and get the most up to the minute College Football Point Spreads for tonight's Allstate Sugar Bowl where the Hogs and Buckeyes collide.
Betting trends show the public is giving the Hogs some love as 80% of spreads action is on Arkansas getting plus-3 points. Money line action is closer with Arkansas a favorite to 57% of bettors. The wagering public is looking for a high scoring game as 77% of early betting on the total going OVER the posted 57.
Buckeye's players have been hearing it from media pundits and fans about being 0-9 in bowls against SEC competition. Their SEC anxiety became worse after the BIG TEN went 0-5 in bowls on New Years day, including three losses by league teams to SEC foe. The subject has all but become a battle cry for players vowing to end the losing drought.
On the other hand, Arkansas, playing in its first BCS Bowl, wants to prove they belong among college football's elite, a place the Buckeyes occupy.
There are many scenarios each team can use for motivation, but what really matters is how each team executes its game plan against the other.
The Razorbacks and Buckeyes were very good to backers in covering the betting spreads with both going 9-2 ATS in lined games. Arkansas went 10-2 SU on the year with their only two losses coming to then No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Auburn. Ohio State went 11-1 SU, its only loss coming at Wisconsin.
After losing two of their first six games, Arkansas was victorious in six straight both SU and ATS. The Hogs played six ranked teams on the season and came away 4-2 in those games. The Buckeyes only played one ranked team, at Wisconsin, where they lost 18-31.
Arkansas, with its high-profile offense, will be battling the Buckeyes, known for playing stiff defense. Junior quarterback Ryan Mallett leads an Arkansas offense that's ranked eighth nationally by the NCAA. The Hogs covered 5,871 total yards on the season for an average of 489.25 yards per game. The Buckeyes are not exactly chopped liver offensively, ranked 20th, averaging 448.83 yards per game.
Ohio State hangs its hat on defense, ranked second nationally, holding its opposition to an average of 250.58 yards per game. Arkansas held its own defensively holding teams to an average of 339.75 yards per game.
Arkansas is very good once in the red zone ranked fourth, so it will be interesting to see how they fare against the Buckeyes defense ranked seventh in the nation.
Sugar Bowl Predictions: SEC West teams have been dominating in bowls against BIG TEN teams. Why stop the bleeding now? BEST BET – Razorbacks +3.
