John Martin is ready to help you cash in on your bet for the 2009 Fiesta Bowl with his college football bowl picks offered below. This is just another one of the bowl game odds that Martin is confident he can beat.
5 Unit Buckeyes/Longhorns Fiesta Bowl BEST BET on Ohio State +9
The Scarlet and Gray need this win more to restore pride back into their football program. Ohio State has been kicked around in the media about their recent failures in National Championship Games, and big games in general. I see the Buckeyes playing inspired football in this game to restore that pride, and with so many senior on this team, Ohio State won’t fold like they have in year’s past. These players have been here before, while Texas players have not played in a big game like this since the days of Vince Young. Ohio State is expected to add a dimension to this game that the Longhorns will not be ready for. Both QB Terrelle Pryor and QB Todd Boeckman are going to be on the field at the same time. Ohio State has been working on this in practice for over a month, and they’ve had plenty of time to perfect it. Pryor is an all-around athlete that can throw, run and catch the football and he’ll give this Longhorns’ defense fits all game. Beanie Wells and this huge offensive line for Ohio State will be able to move the Longhorns’ defensive line and create running lanes. Texas does have a speedy D-Line, but Ohio State’s ability to run the football in this contest will force the Longhorns to be on their heels instead of being in attack mode all game like they were most of the season against the pass-happy Big 12 teams. Coach Tressel is 18-9 ATS vs. good offensive teams scoring 31 points/game or more. Texas does have a good offense, but this Buckeye defense is the best they have seen all season and that will also play a big factor. Ohio State allows just 13.1 points/game this season. The last time these teams met in 2006, Ohio State came out on top 24-7 down in Austin. Texas will struggle to score points against this dominant Buckeyes’ defense again in the Fiesta Bowl. Cash in with Ohio State as the underdog.